Clinical trial NCT04716933: Safety and Efficacy Study of Pemetrexed + Platinum Chemotherapy + Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Lenvatinib (MK-7902/E7080) as First-line Intervention in Adults With Metastatic Nonsquamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (MK-7902-006/E7080-G000-315/LEAP-006)-China Extension Study
Official title: A Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Pemetrexed + Platinum Chemotherapy + Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) as First-line Intervention in Participants With Metastatic Nonsquamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (LEAP-006)
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE3
Conditions: Nonsquamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Keywords: programmed cell death 1 (PD-1, PD1)
programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, PDL1)
programmed cell death-ligand 2 (PD-L2, PDL2)
Lead sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Sponsor class: INDUSTRY
Collaborators: name: Eisai Inc.
First posted: 2021-01-20
Enrollment: 201
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of pemetrexed+platinum chemotherapy+pembrolizumab (MK-3475) with or without lenvatinib (MK-7902/E7080) as first-line intervention in adults from mainland China with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.

The primary study hypotheses state that: 1) the combination of lenvatinib+platinum doublet chemotherapy+pembrolizumab prolongs Progression-free Survival (PFS) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RESIST 1.1) compared to matching placebo+platinum doublet chemotherapy+pembrolizumab, and 2) the combination of lenvatinib+platinum doublet chemotherapy+pembrolizumab prolongs Overall Survival (OS) compared to matching placebo+platinum doublet chemotherapy + pembrolizumab.

Detailed description: The China extension study will include participants previously enrolled in mainland China for the global study for MK-7902-006 (NCT03829319) plus those enrolled in mainland China as part of the China extension enrollment period.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of Stage IV (American Joint Committee on Cancer \[AJCC\], version 8 or current version) nonsquamous NSCLC.
* Confirmation that Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), ALK Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (ALK), or ROS1 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (ROS1)-directed therapy is not indicated as primary treatment (documentation of absence of tumor-activating EGFR mutations AND absence of ALK and ROS1 gene rearrangements OR presence of a Kirsten Rat Sarcoma (KRAS) gene mutation).
* Have measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1. Note: Lesions that appear measurable, but are situated in a previously irradiated area, can be considered measurable (eligible for selection as target lesions) if they have shown documented growth since the completion of radiation.
* Provided an evaluable archival tumor tissue sample or newly obtained core or excisional biopsy of a tumor lesion (that was not previously irradiated) for central PD-L1 testing.
* Life expectancy of at least 3 months.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention but before randomization.
* Male participants must agree to use contraception during the treatment period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab and/or lenvatinib/matching placebo and up to 180 days after the last dose of chemotherapeutic agents. A male participant must also agree to the following: 1) abstinence from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) and agree to remain abstinent, OR 2) agree to use a male condom plus partner use of an additional contraceptive method when having penile-vaginal intercourse with a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) who is not currently pregnant, unless confirmed to be azoospermic (vasectomized or secondary to medical cause). Note: Men with a pregnant or breastfeeding partner must agree to remain abstinent from penile-vaginal intercourse or use a male condom during each episode of penile-vaginal penetration.
* Female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: 1) not a WOCBP OR 2) a WOCBP and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of \<1% per year), with low user dependency, or be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis), during the intervention period and for at least 120 days after the last dose of study intervention.
* Adequate organ function.
* Adequately controlled blood pressure (BP) with or without antihypertensive medications, defined as BP ≤150/90 mm Hg and no change in antihypertensive medications within 1 week prior to randomization. Note: Participants must not have a history of uncontrolled or poorly-controlled hypertension, defined as \>150/90 mm Hg for \>4 weeks despite standard medical management.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known untreated central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Participants with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are radiologically stable, clinically stable, and have not required steroids for at least 14 days prior to the first dose of study intervention.
* History of (noninfectious) pneumonitis that required systemic steroids or current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease.
* Radiographic evidence of major blood vessel invasion/infiltration.
* Known history of an additional malignancy, except if the participant has undergone potentially curative therapy with no evidence of that disease recurrence for at least 3 years since initiation of that therapy. Note: The time requirement also does not apply to participants who underwent successful definitive resection of basal cell carcinoma of the skin, superficial bladder cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ cervical cancer, or other in situ cancers.
* Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e., with use of disease-modifying agents, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is allowed.
* Diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (doses exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior the first dose of study intervention.
* Has had allogeneic tissue/solid organ transplant.
* Known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV testing is not required unless mandated by the local health authority.
* Known history of Hepatitis B or active Hepatitis C. No testing for Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C is required unless mandated by the local health authority.
* History of a gastrointestinal condition or procedure that in the opinion of the investigator may affect oral drug absorption.
* Active hemoptysis (at least 0.5 teaspoon of bright red blood) within 2 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention.
* Significant cardiovascular impairment within 12 months prior to the first dose of study intervention, including history of congestive heart failure greater than New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/stroke, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability.
* Known history of active tuberculosis.
* Active infection requiring systemic therapy.
* Has not recovered adequately from any toxicity and/or complication from major surgery prior to the first dose of study intervention.
* Previously had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to treatment with a monoclonal antibody or has a known sensitivity to any component of lenvatinib or pembrolizumab, or as applicable, carboplatin, cisplatin, or pemetrexed.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab and/or lenvatinib/matching placebo and up to 180 days after last dose of chemotherapeutic agents.
* Received prior systemic chemotherapy or other targeted or biological antineoplastic therapy for their metastatic NSCLC. Note: Prior treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation as part of neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy is allowed as long as therapy was completed at least 6 months prior to the diagnosis of metastatic NSCLC.
* Received prior treatment with pembrolizumab or any other anti-programmed cell death (PD)-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2 agent, with lenvatinib or any other receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (RTKi), or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T cell receptor.
* Received radiotherapy within 14 days prior to the first dose of study intervention or received lung radiation therapy of \>30 Gy within 6 months prior to the first dose of study intervention. Note: Participants must have recovered from all radiation-related toxicities to Grade ≤1, not required corticosteroids, and not have had radiation pneumonitis. A 1-week washout is permitted for palliative radiation (≤2 weeks of radiotherapy) to non-CNS disease.
* Received systemic steroid therapy (in doses exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention.
* Received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study intervention.
* Currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention.
* Has a prolongation of QTc interval (calculated using Fridericia's formula) of \>480 msec
* Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below the institutional (or local laboratory) normal range as determined by multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) or echocardiogram (ECHO).
* Has preexisting ≥Grade 3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Part 2: Progression-free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)
timeFrame: Up to approximately 43 months
measure: Part 2: Overall Survival (OS)
timeFrame: Up to approximately 43 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Part 2: Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)
timeFrame: Up to approximately 57 months
measure: Part 2: Duration of Response (DOR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1)
timeFrame: Up to approximately 57 months
measure: Part 2: Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
timeFrame: Up to approximately 42 months
measure: Part 2: Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Drug Due to an Adverse Event
timeFrame: Up to approximately 42 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Beijing
country: China
facility: Peking Union Medical College Hospital ( Site 0108)
state: Beijing
city: Beijing
country: China
facility: Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Science ( Site 0117)
state: Beijing
city: Beijing
country: China
facility: Beijing Cancer Hospital ( Site 0120)
state: Beijing
city: Chongqing
country: China
facility: The Second Hospital Affiliated to AMU ( Site 0119)
state: Chongqing
city: Chongqing
country: China
facility: First Affiliated Hospital of The Third Military Medical University ( Site 0118)
state: Chongqing
city: Fuzhou
country: China
facility: Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital ( Site 0102)
state: Fujian
city: Guangzhou
country: China
facility: Southern Medical University Nanfang Hospital ( Site 0121)
state: Guangdong
city: Harbin
country: China
facility: The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University ( Site 0100)
state: Heilongjiang
city: Zhengzhou
country: China
facility: Henan Cancer Hospital ( Site 0112)
state: Henan
city: Wuhan
country: China
facility: Wuhan Union Hospital ( Site 0123)
state: Hubei
city: Wuhan
country: China
facility: Hubei Cancer Hospital ( Site 0122)
state: Hubei
city: Shanghai
country: China
facility: Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University ( Site 0103)
state: Hunan
city: Changchun
country: China
facility: Jilin Cancer Hospital ( Site 0115)
state: Jilin
city: Shanghai
country: China
facility: Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital ( Site 0101)
state: Shanghai
city: Tianjin
country: China
facility: Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital ( Site 0111)
state: Tianjin
city: Urumuqi
country: China
facility: Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University ( Site 0110)
state: Xinjiang
city: Hangzhou
country: China
facility: The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University ( Site 0109)
state: Zhejiang
city: Hangzhou
country: China
facility: Zhejiang Cancer Hospital ( Site 0113)
state: Zhejiang
city: Wen Zhou
country: China
facility: The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University ( Site 0124)
state: Zhejiang
Study officials:
affiliation: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
name: Medical Director
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: