A phase I/II study of pembrolizumab (Pem) and doxorubicin (Dox) in treating patients with metastatic/unresectable sarcoma.

Authors

Seth Pollack

Seth Pollack

University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

Seth Pollack , Mary Weber Redman , Michael Wagner , Elizabeth Trice Loggers , Kelsey K. Baker , Sabrina McDonnell , Jeffrey Gregory , Vanessa C. Copeland , Kathryn J. Hammer , Rylee Johnson , Roxanne Moore , Michael Shahnazari , Steven Matthew Townson , Robin Lewis Jones , Lee D. Cranmer

Organizations

University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, SWOG Statistical Center; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, Merck, Kenilworth, NJ, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, Royal Marsden Hospital, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom, University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

Research Funding

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company

Background: Patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) treated with single agent Dox have a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 4.6 months (mo) and response rate (RR) of 14%. Dox sensitizes tumors to Pem through calreticulin release and killing of immunosuppressive cells. Thus we hypothesize that combining Dox + Pem will improve patient outcomes. Methods: A phase I/II trial (NCT02888665) evaluating Dox+Pem was designed for Dox naïve STS and select bone sarcomas with a 1° endpoints of safety (CTCAE v4.03) and response rate (RR) by RECIST 1.1. Patients received one “priming” dose of Pem (200mg IV) prior to starting Dox+Pem Q3wks. Dox+Pem was continued for up to 6 cycles, followed by Pem monotherapy for up to 2 years or progression. The phase I portion used a 3+3 design with 2 Dox doses (45 & 75 mg/m2), followed by a Simon 2-stage expansion. A retrospective study of patients treated at our center on non-ifosfamide containing Dox trials (DoxT) was performed in order to compare our observed PFS with a comparable historic population. Results: Treatment was well tolerated; detailed safety data will be presented. No additional cardiac risk was observed. No DLTs were observed during phase I and 75mg/m2 was selected as the phase 2 Dox dose. The study met criteria for expansion to the 2nd stage. Though the planned enrollment was 41, the study closed after 37 as it was clear that the RR (22% , including phase I patients) would not meet the phase 2 RR target of 29%. However, 59% of patients had stable disease (disease control rate = 81%) with tumor regression in a majority of patients. The median PFS on Dox + Pem was 8.1 mo (95% CI: 6.3, 10.8). Patients treated with Dox + Pem had a significantly longer median PFS compared to the DoxT cohort (4.1 mo, 95%CI 3.0 – 6.6, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Dox+Pem is well-tolerated. While this study failed to meet its 1° RR endpoint, a highly significant improvement in PFS was observed compared with historical controls. This is consistent with findings in other cancers, such as head & neck, where improved clinical outcomes were observed without significant increase in RR by RECIST. A randomized trial of Dox +/- Pem should be carefully considered in light of recent negative trials in STS. Clinical trial information: NCT02888665

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2019 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Clinical Science Symposium

Session Title

Emerging Combinations in Sarcoma Immunotherapy

Track

Sarcoma

Sub Track

Soft Tissue Tumors

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT02888665

Citation

J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl; abstr 11009)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.11009

Abstract #

11009

Abstract Disclosures