Pembrolizumab for Brain Tumor

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Priscilla Brastianos, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Must be taking: Dexamethasone

Must not be taking: Immunosuppressants, Antiretrovirals

Disqualifiers: Immunodeficiency, Active TB, Autoimmune, others

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

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

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores pembrolizumab as a treatment for brain and spinal cord tumors that have spread from other parts of the body. Researchers aim to determine if this medication can effectively target these metastases in the central nervous system. Participants may qualify if they have brain metastases or neoplastic meningitis from any solid tumor, have measurable disease in the brain or spine, and experience related symptoms. The trial includes different groups based on specific conditions, such as untreated or progressive brain metastases and brain metastases from melanoma. Pembrolizumab will be administered every three weeks in an outpatient setting, with some participants also receiving stereotactic radiosurgery, a precise radiation therapy. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to important findings.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot be on high-dose corticosteroids or other investigational agents. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

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

Research has shown that pembrolizumab is generally well-tolerated by patients. In a study involving patients whose cancer had spread to the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, pembrolizumab proved safe to use. Most side effects were mild to moderate, with some patients experiencing tiredness or skin rashes, while serious side effects were less common.

Another study found that pembrolizumab caused fewer side effects than chemotherapy, suggesting it might be a safer choice for some patients. These findings provide insight into how pembrolizumab might work for treating cancer that has spread to the brain. However, individual experiences can differ, so discussing potential risks with a healthcare provider is important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Pembrolizumab is unique because it leverages the body's own immune system to fight brain tumors by targeting the PD-1 pathway, which is different from traditional treatments like surgery or radiation. Unlike conventional therapies that directly attack the tumor, pembrolizumab enables immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Researchers are excited because this approach could potentially lead to better outcomes and fewer side effects, especially for patients with brain metastases from melanoma, previously untreated brain metastases, progressive brain metastases, or neoplastic meningitis. Plus, its administration every three weeks on an outpatient basis offers convenience and flexibility for patients.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for brain metastases?

Research has shown that pembrolizumab, which participants in this trial will receive, may help treat cancer that has spread to the brain. One study found that patients with brain tumors who took pembrolizumab had better outcomes than those who received traditional chemotherapy. Specifically, these patients experienced longer periods without cancer progression. Additionally, pembrolizumab was associated with fewer side effects, suggesting it might be a safer option. These findings indicate that pembrolizumab could effectively manage cancer in the brain. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Priscilla K. Brastianos

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with confirmed solid tumor metastases in the brain or spinal cord. Participants must have a measurable lesion, be in good physical condition (ECOG ≤2), and have a life expectancy over 6 weeks. Specific cohorts include untreated asymptomatic brain metastases, carcinomatous meningitis, and melanoma with limited brain metastases suitable for radiosurgery.

Inclusion Criteria

You must have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer from a tissue sample or cells.

You must have a detectable brain tumor that can be accurately measured and is at least 5 millimeters in size.

You have not received treatment for brain tumors and do not show any symptoms related to them for Cohort A.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents

You need to have surgery or radiation treatment for brain metastases right away.

You have had chemotherapy or other specific treatments within the last 14 days, or you have not fully recovered from side effects of previous treatments.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Pembrolizumab is administered every 3 weeks, with stereotactic radiosurgery between cycles for Cohort D

6 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

Brain MRI and PET/CT every 6 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• MRI
• Pembrolizumab
• PET/CT
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Trial Overview

The study tests Pembrolizumab's effectiveness on central nervous system metastases from various tumors. It includes MRI and PET/CT imaging to track changes, along with Stereotactic Radiosurgery for certain patients. The trial has multiple cohorts based on different disease characteristics.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Progressive Brain Metastases-Cohort B Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

\- Progressive Brain Metastases * Baseline Brain MRI and PET CT * For all cohorts, pembrolizumab will be administered every 3 weeks, with 21 consecutive days defined as a treatment cycle. Treatment will be administered on an outpatient basis. * Brain MRI and PET/CT

Group II: Previously Untreated Brain Metastases-Cohort A Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

\- Previously Untreated Brain Metastases * Baseline Brain MRI and PET CT * For all cohorts, pembrolizumab will be administered every 3 weeks, with 21 consecutive days defined as a treatment cycle. Treatment will be administered on an outpatient basis. * Brain MRI and PET/CT

Group III: Neoplastic Meningitis-Cohort C Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

* Neoplastic Meningitis * Histologically confirmed solid malignancy * Positive Cytology * Baseline Brain MRI * For all cohorts, pembrolizumab will be administered every 3 weeks, with 21 consecutive days defined as a treatment cycle. Treatment will be administered on an outpatient basis. * Brain MRI and PET/CT

Group IV: 1-4 Brain Metastases from Melanoma Cohort D Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

* 1-4 Brain Metastases from Melanoma * Clinical indication for stereostatic radiosurgery * Evaluable extracranial focus * For all cohorts, pembrolizumab will be administered every 3 weeks, with 21 consecutive days defined as a treatment cycle. In Cohort D, cycle 1 and 2 of pembrolizumab will be administered 3 weeks apart and stereotactic radiosurgery will be administered between cycles. Treatment will be administered on an outpatient basis. * Brain MRI and PET CT

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?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Industry Sponsor

Trials

4,096

Recruited

5,232,000+

Chirfi Guindo

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Chief Marketing Officer since 2022

Degree in Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Paris, MBA from New York University Stern School of Business

Robert M. Davis

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Chief Executive Officer since 2021

JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Bachelor's in Finance from Miami University

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a phase II trial involving 15 patients with recurrent glioblastoma, pembrolizumab treatment did not lead to significant immune activation within the tumor microenvironment, which was characterized by a lack of T cells and a predominance of CD68+ macrophages.

Despite no treatment-related deaths and a median overall survival of 20 months, the study found that pembrolizumab alone was insufficient to induce a robust immune response in most patients, suggesting that additional strategies may be needed to enhance its efficacy in glioblastoma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Window-of-opportunity clinical trial of pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent glioblastoma reveals predominance of immune-suppressive macrophages. de Groot, J., Penas-Prado, M., Alfaro-Munoz, K., et al.[2021]

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 II trial involving 15 patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), neoadjuvant treatment with pembrolizumab showed a major pathologic response in 27% of patients, indicating promising antitumor activity before surgery.

The treatment was found to be feasible and safe, with only 33% of patients experiencing moderate adverse events, and no postoperative mortality, suggesting that pembrolizumab does not compromise surgical outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neoadjuvant anti-programmed death-1 immunotherapy by pembrolizumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer: First clinical experience. Eichhorn, F., Klotz, LV., Kriegsmann, M., et al.[2022]

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) was approved by the FDA for treating metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) in patients with tumors expressing PD-L1, showing significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in two major clinical trials with thousands of participants.

In the KEYNOTE-024 trial, pembrolizumab demonstrated a 40% reduction in the risk of death compared to chemotherapy, while in the KEYNOTE-010 trial, it also showed a significant survival advantage over chemotherapy in patients who had previously progressed on treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approval Summary: Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: First-Line Therapy and Beyond. Pai-Scherf, L., Blumenthal, GM., Li, H., et al.[2022]

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 (KEYTRUDA) was approved by the FDA for treating advanced melanoma, showing an overall response rate of 24% in a trial of 89 patients, with 86% of responses lasting at least 6 months.

While there are potential immune-mediated side effects, the benefits of prolonged tumor response durations were deemed to outweigh these risks, marking an improvement over existing treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approval Summary: Accelerated Approval of Pembrolizumab for Second-Line Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma. Chuk, MK., Chang, JT., Theoret, MR., et al.[2021]

In a phase II clinical trial involving 23 melanoma patients with untreated brain metastases, pembrolizumab demonstrated a 26% response rate in brain metastases, indicating its potential efficacy in this challenging patient population.

The treatment was associated with acceptable toxicity, as 65% of patients experienced neurologic adverse events, mostly mild (grade 1 or 2), and nearly half of the patients (48%) were alive at 24 months, suggesting durable responses and a need for careful management of brain metastases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-Term Survival of Patients With Melanoma With Active Brain Metastases Treated With Pembrolizumab on a Phase II Trial. Kluger, HM., Chiang, V., Mahajan, A., et al.[2020]

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that effectively blocks the PD-1 receptor on T cells, enhancing their ability to attack cancer cells, particularly in melanoma patients.

In a Phase I study involving 411 patients, pembrolizumab demonstrated high durable response rates with minimal toxicity, indicating its potential as a safe and effective treatment option for melanoma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pembrolizumab joins the anti-PD-1 armamentarium in the treatment of melanoma. Hersey, P., Gowrishankar, K.[2017]

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]

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