Atezolizumab + Chemotherapy for Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial is testing a new treatment combining an immune-boosting drug with standard chemotherapy for patients with a specific type of aggressive cancer that has spread. The goal is to help the immune system fight the cancer and use chemotherapy to kill cancer cells.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires participants to stop taking denosumab before joining and replace it with a bisphosphonate. If you are on active systemic therapy for another cancer, you may need to stop certain medications, like glucocorticoid-containing regimens, but hormonal therapies like darolutamide can be continued during chemotherapy. The protocol does not specify other medication restrictions, so it's best to discuss your current medications with the trial team.
Is the combination of Atezolizumab and chemotherapy safe for humans?
The research highlights that chemotherapy drugs like carboplatin and cisplatin can cause nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects. However, these side effects can be managed with antiemetic (anti-nausea) medications, suggesting that while the treatment has side effects, they are generally manageable.12345
How is the drug Atezolizumab + Chemotherapy unique for treating neuroendocrine carcinoma?
This treatment combines Atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor that helps the immune system attack cancer cells, with chemotherapy drugs like Carboplatin, Cisplatin, and Etoposide, which are standard for neuroendocrine carcinoma. The combination aims to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy by also engaging the immune system, offering a novel approach compared to traditional chemotherapy alone.678910
What data supports the effectiveness of the drug combination Atezolizumab, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, and Etoposide for treating neuroendocrine carcinoma?
Who Is on the Research Team?
David B Zhen
Principal Investigator
SWOG Cancer Research Network
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults with advanced or metastatic extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma that's not eligible for surgery. They must have a good performance status, no prior treatments for advanced NEC (except possibly one cycle of specific chemo), and meet certain lab test criteria. People with symptomatic brain metastases, active cancers elsewhere, severe allergies to trial drugs, or certain medical conditions can't join.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Induction Treatment
Patients receive atezolizumab, carboplatin or cisplatin, and etoposide. Treatment repeats every 21 days for 4 cycles.
Maintenance Treatment
Patients receive atezolizumab every 21 days for up to 17 cycles.
Observation
Patients undergo observation for 1 year.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment completion.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Atezolizumab
- Carboplatin
- Cisplatin
- Etoposide
Atezolizumab is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:
- Melanoma
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Small cell lung cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Small cell lung cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Urothelial carcinoma
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Lead Sponsor