Zeaxanthin + Pembrolizumab for Advanced Cancer

Overseen By Robyn Puso

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Valley Health System

Must be taking: PD-1 inhibitors

Must not be taking: Oral steroids

Disqualifiers: Active brain metastases, Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, others

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

Breakthrough Therapy This drug has been fast-tracked for approval by the FDA given its high promise

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: Up to 20 weeks for each dosing cohort

72 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how a daily oral compound called zeaxanthin can assist people with advanced cancer. It seeks to determine the safest high dose for future cancer treatments. The trial has two parts: one tests only zeaxanthin, and the other combines it with pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug administered every 42 days. This trial may suit those with advanced cancer that hasn't responded to standard treatments and involves measurable disease. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants the opportunity to be among the first to receive this new treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot be on other investigational drugs, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. If you are taking oral steroids at or above a certain dose, you may not be eligible.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that zeaxanthin, a nutrient often found in eye health supplements, is generally safe when taken orally. It has no harmful effects when consumed this way and might even reduce the risk of some cancers. In previous studies, participants took zeaxanthin without experiencing serious side effects.

Pembrolizumab is a well-known cancer treatment. Research indicates that pembrolizumab, especially when combined with other treatments, is usually well-tolerated by patients, with most experiencing no severe side effects.

These findings suggest that both zeaxanthin alone and in combination with pembrolizumab are likely safe for most people. However, individual reactions can vary. Always consult healthcare professionals before joining a clinical trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about the combination of Zeaxanthin and Pembrolizumab for advanced cancer because it brings together a unique blend of mechanisms. Pembrolizumab is an established immunotherapy that boosts the body's immune response against cancer cells. Introducing Zeaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant typically found in certain foods, aims to enhance the overall anti-cancer effect, possibly by reducing oxidative stress and supporting immune function. This combination could offer a novel, two-pronged approach that not only attacks the cancer directly but also supports the body's natural defenses in a way that current treatments don't.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for advanced cancer?

Research has shown that zeaxanthin, a nutrient often used for eye health, can help immune cells fight cancer. In studies with mice, zeaxanthin slowed tumor growth and strengthened T cells, which play a crucial role in combating cancer. In this trial, some participants will receive Zeaxanthin Monotherapy, while others will receive a combination of zeaxanthin with pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab alone has already proven effective in treating various cancers, such as melanoma and lung cancer. These findings suggest that combining zeaxanthin with pembrolizumab could enhance the body's ability to fight cancer, but further research is needed. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Philip Friedlander, MD

Principal Investigator

The Valley Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults with advanced cancer that's spread and doesn't respond to standard treatments can join. They must have good liver, kidney, and blood health, be able to use birth control, and not be pregnant. People with a performance status showing they're still up and about (ECOG 0-2) are eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and for 90 days following completion of therapy. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.

Platelets ≥ 100,000/mcl

Total bilirubin < 1.5 x the normal institutional limits excluding patients with confirmed Gilbert's syndrome

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive escalating doses of zeaxanthin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab to determine the maximum tolerated dose

Up to 20 weeks for each dosing cohort

Regular visits for dose escalation and monitoring

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

Up to 36 months

Periodic visits for pharmacokinetic sampling and response assessment

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pembrolizumab
• Zeaxanthin

Trial Overview The trial is testing the highest safe dose of zeaxanthin taken orally by itself or combined with Pembrolizumab for metastatic cancer patients. It aims to find out what side effects occur and decide on a dose for future trials.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Zeaxanthin plus Pembrolizumab Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Zeaxanthin administered orally on daily basis in addition to intravenous pembrolizumab infused every 42 days at fixed dose of 400 mg.

Group II: Zeaxanthin Monotherapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Zeaxanthin administered orally on daily basis.

Pembrolizumab is already approved in United States, European Union, United Kingdom for the following indications:

Approved in United States as KEYTRUDA for:

• 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

Approved in European Union as KEYTRUDA for:

• 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

Approved in United Kingdom as KEYTRUDA for:

• Untreated metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with PD-L1 CPS ≥1

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Valley Health System

Lead Sponsor

Trials

11

Recruited

1,900+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study of 219 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving first-line pembrolizumab found that a simple score combining albumin and neutrophil count (Scottish Inflammatory Prognostic Score, SIPS) can effectively predict progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Patients with a higher SIPS score (indicating lower albumin and higher neutrophil counts) had significantly worse survival outcomes, with PFS ranging from 17.9 months for SIPS0 to 2.5 months for SIPS2, highlighting the score's potential to guide treatment decisions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biomarkers of systemic inflammation predict survival with first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer. Stares, M., Ding, TE., Stratton, C., et al.[2022]

In a long-term study of 123 patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC, the combination of pembrolizumab with pemetrexed-carboplatin significantly improved the objective response rate (58% vs. 33%) and progression-free survival (24.5 months vs. 9.9 months) compared to chemotherapy alone.

Patients who completed 2 years of pembrolizumab treatment had a remarkable 92% survival rate at the data cutoff, indicating a durable clinical benefit, while the safety profile remained manageable with no new safety concerns identified.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-Term Overall Survival From KEYNOTE-021 Cohort G: Pemetrexed and Carboplatin With or Without Pembrolizumab as First-Line Therapy for Advanced Nonsquamous NSCLC. Awad, MM., Gadgeel, SM., Borghaei, H., et al.[2021]

Pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor used in cancer treatment, can lead to rare but serious immune-related adverse events, including type 1 diabetes mellitus, occurring in about 0.2% of cases.

A review of 42 cases revealed that patients may develop diabetic ketoacidosis during treatment, highlighting the need for blood glucose monitoring and awareness of this potential side effect among clinicians.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Programmed Cell Death-1 Inhibitor-Induced Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Clotman, K., Janssens, K., Specenier, P., et al.[2022]

In a phase 3 trial involving 305 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1, pembrolizumab significantly improved median progression-free survival to 10.3 months compared to 6.0 months with chemotherapy, indicating its efficacy as a treatment option.

Patients receiving pembrolizumab also experienced fewer treatment-related adverse events (73.4% vs. 90.0% for chemotherapy), highlighting its safety profile alongside its effectiveness in prolonging survival.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab versus Chemotherapy for PD-L1-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Reck, M., Rodríguez-Abreu, D., Robinson, AG., et al.[2022]

In the KEYNOTE-010 study involving patients with advanced NSCLC, pembrolizumab significantly improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores compared to docetaxel, indicating better overall patient well-being during treatment.

Patients treated with pembrolizumab experienced less deterioration in symptoms like cough and dyspnea, and showed a significant prolongation in time to deterioration for these symptoms, particularly at the 10 mg/kg dose compared to docetaxel.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health-Related Quality of Life in KEYNOTE-010: a Phase II/III Study of Pembrolizumab Versus Docetaxel in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced, Programmed Death Ligand 1-Expressing NSCLC. Barlesi, F., Garon, EB., Kim, DW., et al.[2020]

Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, can cause pneumonitis in 1%-5% of patients, and this case report highlights an atypical presentation of this side effect in a patient with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

The patient was successfully treated with steroid therapy after ruling out other potential causes, leading to complete resolution of the pneumonitis, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing atypical cases of checkpoint inhibitor-pneumonitis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recurrent and atypical immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced pneumonitis. Jeon, WJ., Nguyen, J., Castillo, DR., et al.[2023]

Pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, has demonstrated clinical effectiveness in treating various solid tumors, particularly in patients with PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer and unresectable/metastatic melanoma.

Early-phase trials and ongoing studies are focused on further confirming the clinical benefits of pembrolizumab in thoracic malignancies, highlighting its potential as a significant treatment option in cancer therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab for the treatment of thoracic malignancies: current landscape and future directions. Karim, S., Leighl, N.[2017]

In a phase 3 trial involving 622 patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, pembrolizumab did not significantly improve overall survival compared to standard chemotherapy, with median survival times of 9.9 months for pembrolizumab and 10.8 months for chemotherapy.

Pembrolizumab showed a manageable safety profile, with fewer severe treatment-related adverse events compared to chemotherapy, suggesting it may be safer for some patients despite not demonstrating superior efficacy overall.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab versus investigator-choice chemotherapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (KEYNOTE-119): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Winer, EP., Lipatov, O., Im, SA., et al.[2021]

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) has been approved for treating metastatic microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancer (CRC), showing promising efficacy in a small phase 2 clinical trial, which highlights the potential of immunotherapy in this cancer type.

Microsatellite instability-high CRCs that express PD-L1 are more likely to respond to PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, while microsatellite-stable tumors show much less response, indicating the importance of PD-1/PD-L1 testing in guiding treatment decisions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is There a Role for Programmed Death Ligand-1 Testing and Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer With Microsatellite Instability? Part II-The Challenge of Programmed Death Ligand-1 Testing and Its Role in Microsatellite Instability-High Colorectal Cancer. Marginean, EC., Melosky, B.[2022]

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is approved for treating advanced endometrial carcinoma that is microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient, specifically for patients whose disease has progressed after previous treatments.

This approval is significant for patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation, providing a new therapeutic option for a challenging stage of cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

New Approved Use for Keytruda. Aschenbrenner, DS.[2022]

Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor used for treating non-small cell lung carcinoma, has been associated with improved overall survival compared to traditional chemotherapy, but it can also lead to serious side effects.

This case report highlights a rare but critical complication: a 62-year-old man experienced small intestinal perforation due to metastatic lung adenocarcinoma after receiving pembrolizumab, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring of patients for potential autoimmune side effects during treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perforation of small intestinal metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma treated with pembrolizumab: a case report. Sato, S., Senmaru, N., Ishido, K., et al.[2020]

Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), significantly improves progression-free and overall survival compared to traditional chemotherapy, with fewer side effects, particularly in patients with high PD-L1 expression (≥50%).

In combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin, pembrolizumab also enhances treatment effectiveness and maintains manageable toxicity, leading to a shift in first-line treatment strategies for advanced NSCLC.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab as first-line therapy for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. Reck, M.[2018]

Citations

1. biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/plant-based-nutrient-fights-cancer

Plant-based nutrient improves immune cells' ability to fight ... Researchers find that zeaxanthin, best known for protecting vision, can also strengthen the cancer-fighting activity of immune cells.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9164119/

Long-term Outcomes of Adding Lutein/Zeaxanthin and ω-3 ... These findings suggest that the AREDS2 supplement with lutein/zeaxanthin instead of beta carotene was safe, with no association with developing lung cancer.

3. sciencedaily.com sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092214.htm

A common supplement could supercharge cancer treatments Zeaxanthin, best known for eye health, has been found to boost the tumor-killing power of T cells. Researchers showed it strengthens T-cell ...

4. scitechdaily.com scitechdaily.com/common-nutrient-found-to-supercharge-immune-cells-against-cancer/

Common Nutrient Found To Supercharge Immune Cells ... In mouse experiments, dietary zeaxanthin supplementation slowed the progression of tumors. Even more striking, when paired with immune ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05232409

Study Details | NCT05232409 | Determine Safety & ... The purpose of the research is to determine the highest dose of an oral compound called zeaxanthin that can be safely taken each day in patients with ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713513000820

Safety evaluation of meso-zeaxanthin Zeaxanthin (1) was previously reported to have no oral toxicity and decrease the incidence of various cancers after oral ingestion (Thurnham and Howard, 2013; ...