Trial of Glioblastoma Immunotherapy Advancement With Nivolumab and Relatlimab

GIANT is an open-label, multi-center, randomized, perioperative (neoadjuvant followed by adjuvant), phase 2 trial with a safety lead-in phase to investigate the feasibility, safety and tolerability, and establish the biological activity of nivolumab with or without relatlimab in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wildtype newly diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM).

Hypotheses for GIANT: A perioperative trial of nivolumab with or without relatlimab in patients with ndGBM is feasible and safe and that we will be able to evaluate the biological effect (pharmacodynamics \[PD\]) of nivolumab monotherapy and in combination with relatlimab in this setting and determine whether there is sufficient biological activity in patients with GBM to warrant further development.

Patients with a ndGBM and those with a previous diagnosis of GBM who have not received prior radiation (RT), or chemotherapy will undergo stereotactic biopsy for histological confirmation. Cohorts of 6 patients will be accrued to receive nivolumab and relatlimab combined with RT and TMZ in the safety lead-in portion. Once determined safe, the randomized portion of the study will commence and patients will be randomized to one of two arms for neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgical resection of their tumor using an unbalanced 1:3 treatment allocation: Arm 1 - nivolumab alone or Arm 2 - nivolumab and relatlimab (combination formulation). After tumor resection, all patients will undergo Part 1 adjuvant treatment and receive RT and temozolomide (TMZ) (TMZ will be omitted in MGMT unmethylated patients), in combination with nivolumab and relatlimab. Afterwards, patients will undergo Part 2 adjuvant treatment, wherein they will receive TMZ in combination with nivolumab and relatlimab until progression or discontinuation criteria are met. All patients will be followed for 2 years after the last patients has been registered.

Primary Objectives:

1. Stage 1 - Safety Lead-In: To assess the safety of concurrently administering nivolumab, relatlimab, RT, with or without TMZ during Part 1 of the Adjuvant Treatment phase in ndGBM patients, with a specific go-no go focus on MGMT methylated patients receiving TMZ
2. Stage 2 - Randomized Phase 2: To assess the feasibility of undertaking a peri-operative study involving administration of nivolumab with or without relatlimab in patients with ndGBM
3. To establish the biological activity of nivolumab administered with or without relatlimab in patients with ndGBM, by demonstrating the presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the resected tumor

Secondary Objectives:

1. To describe the toxicity of nivolumab administered with or without relatlimab during the neoadjuvant phase in patients with ndGBM following tumor biopsy, and prior to surgical resection of their tumor
2. To assess the safety of planned craniotomy and tumor resection performed after biopsy and neoadjuvant treatment with nivolumab administered with or without relatlimab in patients with ndGBM
3. To determine the toxicity of nivolumab administered with relatlimab during the adjuvant phase, following surgical resection of their tumor in patients with ndGBM To assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of nivolumab administered with or without relatlimab during the neoadjuvant phase following biopsy, and prior to tumor resection for patients with ndGBM
4. To estimate the radiological response rate of nivolumab administered with or without relatlimab in ndGBM
5. To describe survival of patients who have been assigned (as in the Stage 1 safety lead-in) or randomized (Stage 2) to receive neoadjuvant nivolumab administered with or without relatlimab.

After their biopsy, patients will be randomized in the Neoadjuvant Treatment stage to receive one cycle of either nivolumab alone (Arm 1) or the combination of nivolumab and relatlimab (Arm 2). Treatment is followed by tumor resection and placement of Ommaya reservoir. After surgery, patients will enter the Part 1 Adjuvant Treatment phase and will receive RT and TMZ chemotherapy in combination with nivolumab and relatlimab. After the last dose of treatment in Part 1 Adjuvant Treatment, patients will begin the Part 2 Adjuvant Treatment phase and will receive 6 cycles of TMZ in combination with nivolumab and relatlimab. Patients that complete the treatment (i.e., complete 12 cycles of nivolumab and relatlimab with or without TMZ in the Part 2 Adjuvant Treatment Phase) or that discontinue treatment for any reason will have an End of Treatment visit and a Safety Follow-up visit 135 days after the End of Treatment visit

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed informed consent approved by the IRB
2. Adults ≥ 18 years of age
3. Patients with either:

   * A newly suspected diagnosis of GBM based on MRI
   * A previous diagnosis of GBM and who have not received prior RT or chemotherapy
4. Patients who in the opinion of the treating neurosurgeon require resection
5. Willing to undergo planned surgical procedures
6. If patient has previously undergone biopsy at an outside institution, consent to provide archival tissue from the biopsy.
7. Hematological function as follows:

   * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 x 109/L
   * Platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/L
   * Haemoglobin \> 90 g/L
   * Prothrombin time (PT) or partial thromboplastin time (PTT) \< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
8. Renal function as follows:

   • Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN or calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 40 ml/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula (Appendix 1)
9. Hepatic function as follows:

   * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN (Exception: Patient has known or suspected Gilbert's Syndrome for which additional lab testing of direct and/or indirect bilirubin supports this diagnosis. In these instances, a total bilirubin of ≤ 3.0 x ULN is acceptable)
   * Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ≤ 2.5 x ULN
   * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN
   * Serum albumin ≥ 25 g/L
10. Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1 (Appendix 2)
11. Life expectancy of at least 12 months
12. Negative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test at Screening
13. Negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) test at Screening
14. Negative hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) test at Screening
15. Able to undergo brain MRI with and without contrast
16. People of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective contraceptive method (with a failure rate of \< 1%) during study treatment and for at least 6 months following the last dose of study drug and agree not to donate eggs (ova, oocytes) for the purpose of reproduction for the same time period. Acceptable methods of contraception are:

    * Combined estrogen and progestin containing hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation given orally, intravaginally, or transdermally
    * Progestin-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation given orally, by injection, or by implant
    * Intrauterine device: Intrauterine hormone-releasing system
    * Bilateral tubal occlusion
    * Vasectomised partner
    * Sexual abstinence: Considered a highly effective method only if defined as refraining from heterosexual intercourse during an entire period of risk associated with the study treatment. The reliability of sexual abstinence needs will be evaluated in relation to the duration of the study and to the usual lifestyle of the patient Note: People are considered post-menopausal and not of childbearing potential if they have had 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea with an appropriate clinical profile (e.g. age appropriate history of vasomotor symptoms) or have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy), total hysterectomy or tubal ligation at least 6 weeks ago. In the case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the person has been confirmed by follow-up hormone level assessment are they considered not of childbearing potential.
17. Sexually active patients that are able to produce a sperm, must use a condom during intercourse and must agree to refrain from sperm donation, from registration on the study until 3 months after the last dose of treatment
18. People of childbearing potential must have a negative highly sensitive serum pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of human chorionic gonadotropin) at the time of screening and within 48 hours of starting the trial treatment
19. Ability to adhere to the study visit schedule and all protocol requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Tumors where a gross total resection is not considered feasible by the treating neurosurgeon
2. Tumor involves cerebellum, brainstem, or deep basal ganglia
3. Patients who require urgent resection for mass effect, cerebral edema, or hydrocephalus in the opinion of the treating neurosurgeon
4. Patients with contraindications to MRI or unwilling to undergo MRI
5. History of CNS bleeding as defined by stroke within 6 months prior to registration
6. Prior immunotherapy
7. Contraindication to surgery
8. Concurrent or prior (within 7 days prior to registration) anticoagulation therapy, except prophylactic low molecular weight heparins or low dose aspirin
9. Treatment with immunosuppressive medications Note: Low-dose corticosteroids (≤ 2 mg/day dexamethasone or equivalent) for tumor-associated edema is permitted. Patients who require corticosteroids \> 2mg/day dexamethasone (or equivalent) for acute emergencies during the screening window will be eligible, if the corticosteroid dosing reduces to ≤ 2 mg/day dexamethasone (or equivalent) at least one day prior to the initial trial-mandated biopsy.
10. Active autoimmune disease or immune deficiency including, but not limited to, myasthenia gravis, myositis, autoimmune hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Wegener granulomatosis, Sjögren syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or multiple sclerosis
11. Active tuberculosis
12. Patient has had a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection either suspected or confirmed within 4 weeks prior to screening. Acute symptoms must have resolved and based on treating physician's assessment, there are no sequelae that would place the patient at a higher risk of receiving trial treatment
13. Evidence of acute intracranial/intra-tumoral hemorrhage, which requires urgent intervention
14. Severe infection within 4 weeks prior to registration
15. Treatment with a live, attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to registration, or anticipation of need for such a vaccine during study or within 5 months after final dose of nivolumab and relatlimab
16. Patients with prior, unrelated malignancy requiring current active treatment with the exception of cervical carcinoma in situ and adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or other malignancies with no evidence of disease for 2 years or more
17. Major surgical procedure, other than for diagnosis, within 4 weeks prior to registration
18. History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, organising pneumonia (e.g., bronchiolitis obliterans), drug-induced pneumonitis, or idiopathic pneumonitis, or evidence of active pneumonitis Note: History of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) is permitted
19. Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding/chestfeeding
20. Prior allogeneic stem cell or solid organ transplantation
21. Known allergy or sensitivity nivolumab, relatlimab, temozolomide or their excipients
22. Patient has any kind of disorder that, in the opinion of the site PI, may compromise the ability of the patient to give written informed consent and/or to comply with all required study procedures
23. Patients with a history of myocarditis
24. Patient has troponin T (TnT) or I (TnI) \> 2 × ULN Note: Patients with TnT or TnI levels between \> 1 × to 2 × ULN will be eligible if repeat levels within 24 hours are ≤ 1 × ULN. If TnT or TnI levels are between \> 1 × to 2 × ULN within 24 hours, the patient must be evaluated by a cardiologist. When repeat levels within 24 hours are not available, a repeat test should be conducted as soon as possible. If TnT or TnI repeat levels beyond 24 hours are \< 2 × ULN, the patient must be evaluated by a cardiologist. After cardiologist evaluation, the patient may be eligible if the site PI assesses a favorable benefit/risk
25. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 50% by either echocardiogram (ECHO) or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan within 6 months prior to registration
26. History or evidence of any other clinically significant disorder, condition, or disease (with the exception of those outlined above) that, in the opinion of the site PI would pose a risk to patient safety or interfere with the study evaluation, procedures or completion