Cemiplimab for Skin Cancer

Recruiting at 20 trial locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

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

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6-9 weeks

79 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant cemiplimab as measured by Pathologic complete response (pCR) rate per independent central pathology review. The secondary objectives of the study are: * To evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant cemiplimab on measures of disease response, including: * Major pathologic response (mPR) rate per independent central pathology review * pCR rate and mPR rate per local pathology review * ORR prior to surgery, according to local assessment using RECIST 1.1 * To evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant cemiplimab on event free survival (EFS), disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) * To evaluate the safety profile of neoadjuvant cemiplimab * To assess change in surgical plan (ablative and reconstructive procedures) from the screening period to definitive surgery, both according to investigator review and independent surgical expert review * To assess change in post-surgical management plan (radiation, chemoradiation, or observation) from the screening period to post-surgery pathology review, both according to investigator review and independent surgical expert review

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on corticosteroids (a type of medication that reduces inflammation) at a dose higher than 10 mg of prednisone per day, you may not be eligible to participate.

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, a type of skin cancer, with significant positive results in clinical trials. It helps the immune system fight cancer by blocking a protein that usually stops immune cells from attacking cancer cells, leading to durable responses and improved survival rates. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the drug cemiplimab unique in treating skin cancer?

Cemiplimab is unique because it is the first approved drug 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

This trial is for individuals with Stage II to IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), a type of skin cancer, who are recommended for surgery. Participants must have at least one lesion larger than 3 cm and be in good physical condition with proper organ and bone marrow function.

Inclusion Criteria

You have at least one detectable and measurable lesion according to a specific medical guideline called RECIST 1.1.

I am fully active or can carry out light work.

My skin cancer is at a stage where surgery is advised, and if it's stage II, the lesion is at least 3 cm big.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive neoadjuvant cemiplimab via IV infusion every 3 weeks

6-9 weeks

Surgery

Participants undergo definitive surgery to assess pathologic response

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cemiplimab

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of Cemiplimab before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) by looking at how many patients achieve complete disappearance of their cancer as judged by independent review. It also examines other disease responses, survival rates, safety profile, and changes in surgical plans.

Participant Groups

Group I: Cemiplimab Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Will receive IV infusion Q3W

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 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]

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]

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

Cemiplimab in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. [2022]

7. 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]