Tazemetostat + Topotecan + Pembrolizumab for Small Cell Lung Cancer
Trial Summary
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot participate if you have had chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, or radiotherapy within 2 weeks before the study, or if you are on systemic steroid therapy or other immunosuppressive treatments within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.
What data supports the effectiveness of the drug pembrolizumab in treating small cell lung cancer?
Pembrolizumab has shown significant durability of responses in patients with previously treated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), leading to its accelerated approval by the FDA as a second- or third-line treatment. Additionally, in a clinical trial, pembrolizumab combined with other drugs met its progression-free survival endpoint in patients with previously untreated extensive-stage SCLC.12345
Is the combination of Tazemetostat, Topotecan, and Pembrolizumab generally safe for humans?
Pembrolizumab, one of the drugs in the combination, has been associated with some immune-related side effects, such as type 1 diabetes in rare cases (0.2%) and other immune-mediated reactions like thyroid issues and lung inflammation. These side effects have been observed in various cancer treatments, indicating that while generally safe, there are potential risks to be aware of.16789
What makes the drug combination of Tazemetostat, Topotecan, and Pembrolizumab unique for treating small cell lung cancer?
This drug combination is unique because it combines Tazemetostat, which targets specific genetic changes in cancer cells, with Topotecan, a chemotherapy drug, and Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy that helps the immune system attack cancer. This multi-faceted approach is different from standard treatments that typically use chemotherapy alone.135810
What is the purpose of this trial?
This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of tazemetostat in combination with topotecan and pembrolizumab in treating patients with small cell lung cancer that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). Tazemetostat may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Chemotherapy drugs, such as topotecan, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving tazemetostat in combination with topotecan and pembrolizumab may shrink or stabilize recurrent small cell lung cancer.
Research Team
Anish Thomas
Principal Investigator
National Cancer Institute LAO
Eligibility Criteria
Adults with recurrent small cell lung cancer who've had platinum-based chemotherapy can join. They must have measurable disease, stable brain metastases if present, and adequate organ function. HIV-positive patients on effective therapy are eligible. Participants need to use contraception and cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Dose-Escalation
Patients receive tazemetostat, pembrolizumab, and topotecan to determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase II dose
Dose-Expansion
Evaluate safety and tolerability of the combination treatment at the recommended phase II dose
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Pembrolizumab
- Tazemetostat Hydrobromide
- Topotecan Hydrochloride
Pembrolizumab is already approved in United States, European Union, United Kingdom for the following indications:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 CPS ≥1
- Melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial carcinoma
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 CPS ≥1
- Melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial carcinoma
- Untreated metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 CPS ≥1
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Lead Sponsor