Pembrolizumab + Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This phase III trial studies whether pembrolizumab alone as a first-line treatment, followed by pemetrexed and carboplatin with or without pembrolizumab after disease progression is superior to induction with pembrolizumab, pemetrexed and carboplatin followed by pembrolizumab and pemetrexed maintenance in treating patients with stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. 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. Chemotherapy drugs, such as pemetrexed, 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. Carboplatin is in a class of medications known as platinum-containing compounds. It works in a way similar to the anticancer drug cisplatin, but may be better tolerated than cisplatin. Carboplatin works by killing, stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. It is not yet known whether giving first-line pembrolizumab followed by pemetrexed and carboplatin with or without pembrolizumab works better in treating patients with non-squamous non-small cell cancer.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot be on systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days before starting the trial treatment. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.
Is the combination of Pembrolizumab and chemotherapy safe for treating lung cancer?
The combination of Pembrolizumab with chemotherapy, including drugs like carboplatin and pemetrexed, has been studied for safety in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Some studies report adverse events (side effects) such as kidney issues, but these are generally manageable and the treatment is considered safe for use in patients with adequate kidney function.12345
What makes the drug pembrolizumab combined with carboplatin and pemetrexed unique for treating non-small cell lung cancer?
The combination of pembrolizumab with carboplatin and pemetrexed is unique because it enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer by targeting specific proteins, leading to improved survival rates compared to chemotherapy alone, and is now a standard first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.23678
What data supports the effectiveness of the drug combination of pembrolizumab and chemotherapy for lung cancer?
Who Is on the Research Team?
Hossein Borghaei
Principal Investigator
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Adults with stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, who have not had previous systemic chemotherapy for advanced disease. They must have a PD-L1 expression TPS of at least 1%, be in good physical condition (ECOG 0-1), and may have treated brain metastases if stable. Patients should not be pregnant or breastfeeding, must agree to use contraception, and cannot have certain serious illnesses or organ dysfunctions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive pembrolizumab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin in various combinations depending on the arm, with cycles repeating every 21 days
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Carboplatin
- Pembrolizumab
- Pemetrexed
Carboplatin is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Lead Sponsor