Cemiplimab for Skin Cancer

Recruiting at 25 trial locations

Overseen By Clinical Trial Administrator

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Must not be taking: Immunosuppressants, PD-1/PD-L1 blockers

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune disease, Metastatic cancer, Transplant, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 13

Duration: 12 weeks

113 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is researching an experimental drug called cemiplimab. The study is focused on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC) and Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability (how your body reacts to the drug) of cemiplimab (also known as REGN2810). The first part of the study tested several different doses of cemiplimab given weekly for 12 weeks. The study is also looking at several other research questions, including: * What side effects may happen from taking the study drug * To see effect of cemiplimab on the tumor * How much study drug is in the blood at different times

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on medications that affect the immune system or have had certain treatments in the past, you might not be eligible. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug cemiplimab for skin cancer?

Cemiplimab has been shown to be effective for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), with clinical trials demonstrating significant and durable responses in patients. It was approved by the FDA based on these positive results, and it helps the immune system fight cancer by blocking a protein that usually stops immune cells from attacking tumors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What makes the drug cemiplimab unique for treating skin cancer?

Cemiplimab is unique because it is the first approved treatment specifically for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that cannot be treated with surgery or radiation. It works by blocking a protein called PD-1, which helps the immune system attack cancer cells more effectively. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Research Team

Clinical Trial Management

Principal Investigator

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Eligibility Criteria

Adults with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Basal Cell Carcinoma that can be measured and has recurred. Participants should have good performance status (ECOG ≤1) and no other serious illnesses or recent vaccinations. Those with a history of certain cancers, immune diseases, organ transplants, or previous PD-1/PD-L1 pathway treatments are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My cancer can be measured and is at least 1 cm in size.

I have had skin cancer that was removed more than once.

I am fully active and can carry on all my pre-disease activities without restriction.

Exclusion Criteria

My skin cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not elsewhere, and if it had, I've been disease-free for 3 years.

I have been treated with drugs that target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

I have an autoimmune disease treated with immunosuppressants in the last 5 years.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive weekly doses of cemiplimab for 12 weeks to evaluate safety and tolerability

12 weeks

12 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

13 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Long-term follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term safety and pharmacokinetic observations

Up to 90 days after last dose

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cemiplimab

Trial Overview The trial is testing the safety and effects of an experimental drug called cemiplimab on skin cancer tumors. It involves weekly doses for 12 weeks to see how the body reacts, what side effects occur, the impact on tumors, and how much drug stays in the blood over time.

Participant Groups

Group I: Cemiplimab Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Three dose cohorts are planned and will follow a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design with cohort expansion. After completion of the above, three additional cohorts (A, B and C) of patients will be evaluated. Cohorts D, H and I may open after completion of Cohort B. Note: Cohort E through G will not be opened for participation.

Cemiplimab is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Brazil for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Libtayo for:

• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Approved in United States as Libtayo for:

• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Approved in Canada as Libtayo for:

• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Approved in Brazil as Libtayo for:

• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Lead Sponsor

Trials

690

Recruited

948,000+

Founded

1988

Headquarters

Tarrytown, USA

Known For

Precision medicine

Top Products

Dupixent, EYLEA, Libtayo, Praluent

Leonard Schleifer

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Chief Executive Officer since 1988

MD and PhD in Medicine

George Yancopoulos

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Chief Medical Officer since 1997

MD from Harvard Medical School

Sanofi

Industry Sponsor

Trials

2,246

Recruited

4,085,000+

Paul Hudson

Sanofi

Chief Executive Officer since 2019

Degree in Economics from Manchester Metropolitan University

Christopher Corsico

Sanofi

Chief Medical Officer

MD from Cornell University, MPH in Chronic Disease Epidemiology from Yale University

Findings from Research

Cemiplimab is a PD-1 monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, which is crucial for enhancing the immune response against cancer cells.

In September 2018, cemiplimab received FDA approval for treating patients with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who cannot undergo curative surgery or radiation, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment options.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab: First Global Approval. Markham, A., Duggan, S.[2023]

Cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo) is an FDA-approved immunotherapy for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that works by blocking the PD-1 receptor, enhancing the immune system's ability to fight tumors.

Clinical trials have shown that cemiplimab is effective in treating CSCC, although common side effects and safety issues were noted, highlighting the need for ongoing research to improve treatment outcomes and reduce toxicity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab-rwlc as first and only treatment for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Ahmed, SR., Petersen, E., Patel, R., et al.[2019]

Cemiplimab (Libtayo®) is the first approved immunotherapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who cannot undergo surgery or radiotherapy, showing a clinically significant objective response rate in the phase II EMPOWER-CSCC 1 trial.

The treatment has a durable effect, with the median duration of response and overall survival not yet reached, and it has an acceptable safety profile, with manageable immune-related adverse events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab: A Review in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Lee, A., Duggan, S., Deeks, ED.[2020]

Cemiplimab demonstrated a significant objective response rate of 46.1% in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), with complete response rates of 20.3% for metastatic CSCC and 12.8% for locally advanced CSCC, indicating its efficacy as a treatment option.

Patients experienced durable improvements in quality of life and pain control, with significant enhancements observed as early as the second treatment cycle, highlighting the treatment's positive impact on overall well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrated analysis of a phase 2 study of cemiplimab in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: extended follow-up of outcomes and quality of life analysis. Rischin, D., Khushalani, NI., Schmults, CD., et al.[2022]

Cemiplimab-rwlc is a newly approved PD-1/L1 inhibitor for first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without EGFR or ALK mutations, either alone or with chemotherapy.

This review highlights the differences in patient populations studied for cemiplimab compared to other treatments, emphasizing its role in expanding options for NSCLC patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spotlight on Cemiplimab-rwlc in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Focus on Patient Selection and Considerations. Ahn, J., Nagasaka, M.[2023]

Cemiplimab demonstrated significant antitumor activity in patients with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, with 44% of the 78 patients showing an objective response, including 13% achieving a complete response.

The treatment had an acceptable safety profile, with 44% of patients experiencing grade 3-4 adverse events, the most common being hypertension and pneumonia, and one treatment-related death due to aspiration pneumonia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab in locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: results from an open-label, phase 2, single-arm trial. Migden, MR., Khushalani, NI., Chang, ALS., et al.[2021]

Cemiplimab is the first FDA-approved treatment for patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who cannot undergo curative surgery or radiation, demonstrating rapid and substantial antitumor efficacy in phase II clinical trials.

The treatment has an acceptable safety profile, with low rates of treatment discontinuation (7%) and death (3%), although current recommendations are based mainly on phase II data due to the lack of an approved comparator agent.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Naik, PP.[2022]

References

1. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab: First Global Approval. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab-rwlc as first and only treatment for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. [2019]

3. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab: A Review in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. [2020]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrated analysis of a phase 2 study of cemiplimab in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: extended follow-up of outcomes and quality of life analysis. [2022]

5. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spotlight on Cemiplimab-rwlc in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Focus on Patient Selection and Considerations. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab in locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: results from an open-label, phase 2, single-arm trial. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cemiplimab in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. [2022]