Clinical trial NCT02861573: Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Combination Therapies in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (MK-3475-365/KEYNOTE-365)
Official title: Phase Ib/II Trial of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Combination Therapies in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) (KEYNOTE-365)
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: PHASE1
PHASE2
Conditions: Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Keywords: Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
mCRPC
PD1
PD-1
PDL1
PD-L1
Lead sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Sponsor class: INDUSTRY
First posted: 2016-08-10
Enrollment: 1200
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) combination therapy in participants with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). There will be ten cohorts in this study: Cohort A will receive pembrolizumab + olaparib, Cohort B will receive pembrolizumab + docetaxel + prednisone, Cohort C will receive pembrolizumab + enzalutamide, Cohort D will receive pembrolizumab + abiraterone + prednisone Cohort E will receive pembrolizumab+lenvatinib, Cohort F will receive pembrolizumab+lenvatinib, Cohort G will receive pembrolizumab/vibostolimab coformulation (MK-7684A), Cohort H will receive pembrolizumab/vibostolimab coformulation, Cohort I will receive pembrolizumab+carboplatin+etoposide in Arm 1 and carboplatin+etoposide in Arm 2 and Cohort J will receive belzutifan in Arm1 and Pembrolizumab+belzutifan in Arm 2. Outcome measures will be assessed individually for each cohort.

Detailed description: Assignment of patients to a cohort will be based on prior treatment as outlined in the eligibility criteria.

Participants who discontinue pembrolizumab or vibostolimab+pembrolizumab after 35 infusions for reasons other than disease progression or intolerability, or who discontinue pembrolizumab or coformulation of pembrolizumab/vibostolimab after attaining a complete response (and had at least 8 administrations of pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab/vibostolimab coformulation and at least 2 treatments with pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab/vibostolimab coformulation beyond initial complete response) may be eligible to receive a second course of treatment that includes up to 17 additional infusions (approximately 1 year) of pembrolizumab monotherapy or pembrolizumab/vibostolimab coformulation after they have experienced radiographic disease progression after stopping first course treatment.

Effective with Protocol Amendment 08, enrollment into Cohorts A, B, C, and D was closed.

Effective with Protocol Amendment 14, enrollment into Cohorts E, F, G, and H was closed (not due to any safety issues). No further efficacy and survival follow-up assessments will be collected in Cohorts A through H.

Effective with Protocol Amendment 16, enrollment into Cohort J was closed (not due to any safety issues).

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* For Cohorts A, B, C, D, E, G, J: Has histologically- or cytologically-confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate without small cell histology

  * For Cohorts F, H, I: Has t-NE or de novo metastatic prostate cancer defined by ≥1% neuroendocrine cells that are located in discrete regions of a recent biopsy specimen from a metastasis as determined by the investigational site and confirmed by central histology review prior to enrollment. Epstein criteria of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer is used for eligibility. Specimens must have one of the morphologies of Small cell carcinoma or Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) or Mixed (small or large cell) NE carcinoma - acinar adenocarcinoma with positive IHC confirmed by central pathology review
* Is able to provide tumor tissue from a site not previously irradiated as follows: Cohorts A, E, G and J: must provide a core or excisional biopsy from soft tissue or bone biopsy within 1 year of screening and after developing mCRPC; Cohort B: must provide an archival tumor tissue sample or tumor tissue from a newly obtained core or excisional biopsy from soft tissue if the lesion is clinically accessible; Cohorts C and D with soft tissue disease: must provide a core or excisional biopsy from a soft tissue lesion if clinically accessible within 1 year of screening and after developing mCRPC and an archival specimen if available; and Cohorts F, H, and I must provide a core or excisional biopsy from soft tissue or a bone biopsy. For de novo metastatic neuroendocrine prostate participants, biopsies must be performed within 1 year of screening. Participants with bone metastasis only must provide an archival tumor tissue specimen
* Has prostate cancer progression within 6 months prior to screening, as determined by the investigator, by means of one of the following: PSA progression as defined by a minimum of 2 rising PSA levels with an interval of ≥1 week between each assessment where the PSA value at screening should be ≥2 ng/mL; radiographic disease progression in soft tissue based on Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Version 1.1 criteria with or without PSA progression; radiographic disease progression in bone defined as the appearance of 2 or more new bone lesions on bone scan with or without PSA progression. Participants with de novo neuroendocrine prostate cancer will not need to provide evidence of progression within 6 months
* Has ongoing androgen deprivation with serum testosterone \<50 ng/dL (\<2.0 nM). Treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists or antagonists for all cohorts must have been initiated ≥4 weeks prior to first dose of study therapy and must be continued throughout the study. Participants with de novo metastatic NE prostate cancer will not be required to have been previously treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). ADT must be started in these participants by the time of treatment allocation/randomization
* Participants receiving bone resorptive therapy (including, but not limited to bisphosphonate or receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β ligand inhibitor) must be on stable doses for ≥4 weeks prior to first dose of study therapy
* Must be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse, refrain from donating sperm, or agree to use contraception (unless confirmed to be azoospermic) during the intervention period starting with the first dose of study therapy. The length of time required to continue contraception after the last dose of study intervention for each study intervention is as follows: 7 days for abiraterone acetate and lenvatinib; 30 days for enzalutamide; and 95 days for olaparib, docetaxel, and carboplatin/etoposide. No contraception measures are required during and after the intervention period for pembrolizumab/vibostolimab coformulation
* Has a performance status of 0, 1, or 2 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Scale for Cohorts A and C and a performance status of 0 or 1 for Cohorts B, D, E, F, G, H, I and J within 10 days of study start
* For Cohort A: Has received docetaxel for mCRPC. Prior treatment with 1 other chemotherapy for mCRPC is allowed. Up to 2 second-generation hormonal manipulations (e.g., abiraterone acetate and/or enzalutamide) are allowed. Prior docetaxel for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer is allowed if ≥4 weeks have elapsed from the last dose of docetaxel prior to day 1 of Cycle 1
* For Cohort B: Has received prior treatment with either abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide (but not both) in the prechemotherapy mCRPC state. Participants in Cohort B must have received at least 4 weeks of either abiraterone or enzalutamide treatment (but not both) who failed treatment or became intolerant of the drug
* For Cohort C: Has received prior treatment with abiraterone acetate in the pre-chemotherapy mCRPC state without prior enzalutamide. Participants in Cohort C must have received at least 4 weeks of abiraterone treatment who failed treatment or become intolerant of the drug. Participants who received abiraterone acetate in the hormone-sensitive state will not be eligible
* For Cohort D: Has not received chemotherapy for mCRPC and has either not had prior second generation hormonal manipulation for mCRPC OR has previously been treated with enzalutamide for mCRPC and failed treatment or has become intolerant of the drug. Prior docetaxel for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer is allowed if ≥4 weeks have elapsed from the last dose of docetaxel. Prior treatment with abiraterone acetate in the hormone-sensitive metastatic setting is allowed as long as there was no progression on this agent and abiraterone acetate was not discontinued due to adverse events (AEs)
* For Cohorts E, G and J: Has received docetaxel for mCRPC. Prior treatment with 1 other chemotherapy for mCRPC is allowed. Up to 2 second-generation hormonal manipulations (eg, abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide or other next-generation hormonal agents \[NHA\]) are allowed. Participants who received prior ketoconazole for metastatic disease may be enrolled. If docetaxel chemotherapy is used more than once (eg, once for metastatic hormone-sensitive and once for mCRPC), it will be considered as 1 therapy. Prior docetaxel for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) is allowed if ≥4 weeks have elapsed from the last dose of docetaxel prior to Day 1 of Cycle 1
* For Cohort F, H, and I: Participants must have received prior treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for metastatic disease. Prior treatment with up to a total of 2 chemotherapies for mCRPC is allowed, as well as up to 2 second-generation hormonal manipulations for mCRPC. Participants who received prior ketoconazole for metastatic disease may be enrolled. Docetaxel for mHSPC is allowed in addition to docetaxel for mCRPC. If docetaxel chemotherapy is used more than once (eg, once for metastatic hormone-sensitive and once for mCRPC), it will be considered as 1 therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Has had a prior anticancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to first dose study therapy or who has not recovered (i.e., Grade ≤1 or at baseline) from AEs due to mAbs administered \>4 weeks earlier
* Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy abiraterone treatment, enzalutamide treatment, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to first dose of study therapy or who has not recovered (ie, Grade ≤1 or at baseline) from AEs due to a previously administered agent
* Is currently participating in and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study drug or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of treatment allocation/randomization
* Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to treatment allocation/randomization
* Has had prior treatment with therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals for prostate cancer, such as Radium-223 or Leutitium-177, within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment
* Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years
* Has a history of (noninfectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease that required steroids or current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease
* Has previously participated in any other pembrolizumab trial, or received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1), anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1), and anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L2)
* Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
* Has known active Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
* Has received a live vaccine or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days of the first dose of study therapy
* Has known active central nervous system metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
* Has a "superscan" bone scan defined as an intense symmetric activity in the bones and diminished renal parenchymal activity on baseline bone scan such that the presence of additional metastases in the future could not be evaluated
* Has had prior solid, organ or bone marrow transplant
* For Cohort A: Has experienced a seizure or seizures within 6 months of study start or is currently being treated with cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP) inducing anti-epileptic drugs for seizures
* For Cohort A: Is currently receiving strong or moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 including azole antifungals; macrolide antibiotics; or protease inhibitors
* For Cohort A: Is currently receiving strong or moderate inducers of CYP3A4
* For Cohort A: Has myelodysplastic syndrome
* For Cohort A: Has symptomatic congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV heart disease), unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or uncontrolled hypertension
* For Cohort B: Has received prior treatment with docetaxel or another chemotherapy agent for metastatic prostate cancer
* For Cohort B: Has peripheral neuropathy Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events ≥2 except due to trauma
* For Cohort B: Has ascites and/or clinically significant pleural effusion
* For Cohort B:Has symptomatic congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV heart disease)
* For Cohort B: Is currently receiving any of the following classes of inhibitors of CYP3A4: azole antifungals; macrolide antibiotics; or protease inhibitors
* For Cohort C: Has received prior chemotherapy for mCRPC. Prior docetaxel for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer is allowed if ≥4 weeks elapsed from last dose of docetaxel. Participants who received abiraterone acetate in the hormone-sensitive state will not be eligible
* For Cohort C: Has a history of seizure or any condition that may predispose to seizure (including, but not limited to prior cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack, or brain arteriovenous malformation; or intracranial masses such as a schwannoma or meningioma that is causing edema or mass effect)
* For Cohort C:Has known or suspected brain metastasis or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis
* For Cohort C: Has a history of loss of consciousness within 12 months of the screening visit
* For Cohort C: Has hypotension (systolic blood pressure \<86 millimeters of mercury \[mmHg\]) or uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \>170 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \>105 mmHg) at the screening visit
* For Cohort C: Has received treatment with 5-α reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride, dutasteride), estrogens, and/or cyproterone within 4 weeks prior to Cycle 1
* For Cohort C: Has a history of prostate cancer progression on ketoconazole
* For Cohort D: Has received prior treatment with docetaxel or another chemotherapy agent for metastatic prostate cancer
* For Cohort D: Has progressed on prior abiraterone acetate for treatment of castration sensitive or resistant metastatic prostate cancer
* For Cohort D: Has discontinued prior treatment with abiraterone acetate due to AEs
* For Cohort D: Has previously been treated with ketoconazole for prostate cancer for \>7 days
* For Cohort D: Has received prior systemic treatment with an azole drug (eg, fluconazole, itraconazole) within 4 weeks of Cycle 1, Day 1
* For Cohort D: Has uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 160 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 95 mm Hg)
* For Cohort D: Has a history of pituitary or adrenal dysfunction
* For Cohort D: Has clinically significant heart disease as evidenced by myocardial infarction, or arterial thrombotic events in the past 6 months, severe or unstable angina, or New York Heart Association Class II-IV heart disease or cardiac ejection fraction measurement of \<50% at baseline
* For Cohort D: Has atrial fibrillation, or other cardiac arrhythmia requiring therapy
* For Cohort D: Has a history of chronic liver disease
* For Cohort D: Is currently receiving strong CYP3A4 inducers (eg, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital) during abiraterone acetate treatment, CYP2D6 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (for example thioridazine), or CYP2C8 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (for example pioglitazone)
* For Cohorts E and F: Has a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below the institutional (or local laboratory) normal range, as determined by multigated acquisition (MUGA) or echocardiogram (ECHO)
* For Cohorts E and F: Has radiographic evidence of encasement or invasion of a major blood vessel, or of intratumoral cavitation
* For Cohorts E and F: Has prolongation of QT interval by Fredericia (QTcF) interval to \>480 milliseconds
* For Cohorts E and F: Has had major surgery within 3 weeks prior to first dose of study interventions
* For Cohorts E and F: Has pre-existing ≥Grade 3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula
* For Cohorts E and F: Has had significant cardiovascular impairment within 12 months of the first dose of study intervention, such as history of New York Heart Association \>Class II congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/stroke, cardiac revascularization procedure, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability
* For Cohorts E and F: Has active hemoptysis (bright red blood of at least 0.5 teaspoon) within 3 weeks prior to the first dose of lenvatinib
* For Cohorts E and F: Has gastrointestinal malabsorption or any other condition that might affect the absorption of lenvatinib
* For Cohorts G, H, and I: Has had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to treatment with another monoclonal antibody
* For Cohorts G, H, and I: Has symptomatic ascites or pleural effusion
* For Cohort I: Has clinically active diverticulitis, intra-abdominal abscess, gastrointestinal obstruction, and/or abdominal carcinomatosis
* For Cohort I: Has received previous treatment for prostate cancer with platinum-containing compounds

Primary outcomes:
measure: Percentage of Participants With a Decrease of ≥50% in Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA)
timeFrame: From Baseline Measured Every 3 Weeks Until Radiographic Progression Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Number of Participants with Adverse Events (AEs)
timeFrame: Assessed Every 3 Weeks Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Number of Participants Discontinuing Study Drug Due to AEs
timeFrame: Assessed Every 3 Weeks Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Objective Response Rate (ORR) Based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) Assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR)
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Disease Control Rate (DCR) Based on Prostate Cancer Working Group 3 (PCWG3)-modified RECIST 1.1 Assessed by BICR
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Overall Survival (OS)
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Duration of Response (DOR) Based on PCWG3-modified RECIST 1.1 Assessed by BICR
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: ORR Based on PCWG3-modified RECIST 1.1 Assessed by BICR
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Time to PSA Progression
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Radiographic Progression-free Survival (rPFS) Based on PCWG3-modified RECIST 1.1 Assessed by BICR
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
measure: Composite Response Rate Defined as Any One of the Following: A. Response Based on RECIST 1.1; B. PSA Decrease of ≥50%; or C. Circulating Tumor-cell Count Conversion (Pembrolizumab + Olaparib Cohort Only)
timeFrame: Assessed Over the Duration of the Study Which is Estimated to be Approximately 2 Years
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Los Angeles
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 0005)
state: California
city: Aurora
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 2041)
state: Colorado
city: Baltimore
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 2083)
state: Maryland
city: Cary
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 0004)
state: North Carolina
city: Cleveland
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 2091)
state: Ohio
city: Portland
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 2027)
state: Oregon
city: Portland
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 2094)
state: Oregon
city: Pittsburgh
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 0008)
state: Pennsylvania
city: Charleston
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 2065)
state: South Carolina
city: Seattle
country: United States
facility: Call for Information (Investigational Site 0016)
state: Washington
city: North Ryde
country: Australia
facility: MSD Australia
city: Kirkland
country: Canada
facility: Merck Canada
state: Quebec
city: Glostrup
country: Denmark
facility: MSD Denmark
city: Espoo
country: Finland
facility: MSD Finland Oy
city: Paris
country: France
facility: MSD France
city: München
country: Germany
facility: MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH
city: Dublin
country: Ireland
facility: MSD Ireland (Human Health) Ltd.
city: Rome
country: Italy
facility: MSD Italia S.r.l.
city: Mexico City
country: Mexico
facility: MSD Comercializadora, S. de R.L. de C.V.
city: Haarlem
country: Netherlands
facility: Merck Sharp & Dohme BV
city: Auckland
country: New Zealand
facility: Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Ltd.,
city: Warsaw
country: Poland
facility: MSD Polska Sp. Z o.o.
city: Madrid
country: Spain
facility: Merck Sharp and Dohme de Espana S.A.
city: Stockholm
country: Sweden
facility: MSD Sweden
city: Taipei
country: Taiwan
facility: Merck Sharp & Dohme (I.A.) Corp.
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Merck Sharp & Dohme Ilaclari Ltd. Sti
city: London
country: United Kingdom
facility: Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd.
Study officials:
affiliation: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
name: Medical Director
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References:
citation: Yu EY, Ferrario C, Linch MD, Stoeckle M, Laguerre B, Arranz JA, Todenhofer T, Fong PC, Piulats JM, Berry W, Emmenegger U, Mourey L, Joshua AM, Mar N, Appleman LJ, Conter HJ, Gravis G, Li XT, Schloss C, Poehlein C, de Bono JS. Pembrolizumab plus Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone in Patients with Chemotherapy-naive Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Results from KEYNOTE-365 Cohort D. Eur Urol Oncol. 2025 Jun;8(3):641-651. doi: 10.1016/j.euo.2024.05.013. Epub 2024 Jun 25.
citation: Yu EY, Berry WR, Gurney H, Retz M, Conter HJ, Laguerre B, Fong PCC, Ferrario C, Todenhofer T, Gravis G, Piulats JM, Emmenegger U, Shore ND, Romano E, Mourey L, Li XT, Poehlein CH, Schloss C, Appleman LJ, de Bono JS. Pembrolizumab and Enzalutamide in Patients with Abiraterone Acetate-Pretreated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Cohort C of the Phase 1b/2 KEYNOTE-365 Study. Eur Urol Oncol. 2024 Jun;7(3):509-518. doi: 10.1016/j.euo.2023.10.008. Epub 2023 Nov 7.
citation: Yu EY, Kolinsky MP, Berry WR, Retz M, Mourey L, Piulats JM, Appleman LJ, Romano E, Gravis G, Gurney H, Bogemann M, Emmenegger U, Joshua AM, Linch M, Sridhar S, Conter HJ, Laguerre B, Massard C, Li XT, Schloss C, Poehlein CH, de Bono JS. Pembrolizumab Plus Docetaxel and Prednisone in Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Long-term Results from the Phase 1b/2 KEYNOTE-365 Cohort B Study. Eur Urol. 2022 Jul;82(1):22-30. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2022.02.023. Epub 2022 Apr 6.