NKTR-214 + Nivolumab for Sarcoma

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Immunosuppressants, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Cardiac disease, CNS metastases, 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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 2 years

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effectiveness of combining two drugs, NKTR-214 and nivolumab (Opdivo), for individuals with sarcoma. Researchers aim to determine if the treatment can manage the cancer and identify any side effects. Participants should have confirmed metastatic or advanced sarcoma and have tried at least one previous treatment without success. As a Phase 2 trial, the research focuses on assessing the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of people.

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

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on systemic immunosuppressive therapy or have had recent chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation, you may need to wait before starting the trial.

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

Research has shown that the combination of NKTR-214 and nivolumab has been tested for safety. In earlier studies, this combination did not cause any serious immune-related side effects at the recommended doses, indicating that patients have generally tolerated the treatment well.

Most patients in these studies managed the treatment without major problems. This is encouraging for those considering joining a clinical trial for this combination therapy. However, individual experiences can differ, so it's important to discuss potential risks and benefits with a healthcare professional before participating in a trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about NKTR-214 combined with Nivolumab for treating sarcoma because this combination offers a novel approach by leveraging the body's immune system. Unlike standard chemotherapy, which directly attacks cancer cells, this treatment uses NKTR-214 to stimulate the growth of cancer-fighting immune cells, enhancing the efficacy of Nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor that helps the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. This synergy could potentially lead to more effective and longer-lasting responses in patients compared to existing treatments.

What evidence suggests that the combination of NKTR-214 and nivolumab could be an effective treatment for sarcoma?

Research has shown that combining NKTR-214 and nivolumab holds promise for fighting cancer. NKTR-214 promotes the growth and movement of immune cells to the tumor, enhancing the body's ability to combat cancer. When paired with nivolumab, which strengthens the immune system's response, some patients have experienced tumor shrinkage. Early studies have found this combination effective, particularly for certain cancer types. In this trial, participants will receive both NKTR-214 and nivolumab, potentially treating sarcoma by enhancing the immune system's attack on cancer cells. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sandra D'Angelo, MD

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults and children (12 years and older) with various types of advanced sarcoma who have already tried at least one systemic therapy can join this trial. They must be in good health otherwise, with proper organ function, no severe heart issues or lung disease, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and willing to use contraception.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 12 years old or older.

Coagulation: International Normalized Ratio or Prothrombin Time ≤1.5 X ULN unless patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) ≤1.5 X ULN unless patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants

Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test at screening and ≤ 72 hours prior to day 1 of study treatment. If the urine pregnancy test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required.

Exclusion Criteria

Hypersensitivity to NKTR-214 or any of its excipients.

I am not pregnant or breastfeeding.

I have had an autoimmune disease that needed treatment in the last 2 years.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive NKTR-214 and nivolumab intravenously every 3 weeks

2 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4-8 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Nivolumab
• NKTR-214

Trial Overview The study is testing the combination of two drugs: NKTR-214 and Nivolumab. These are given to patients with metastatic or locally advanced sarcoma to see if they work better together than existing treatments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: participants ≥18 years old NKTR-214 and Nivolumab Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

NKTR-214 0.006mg/kg and nivolumab 360mg will be administered intravenously on day 1 of week 1 of cycle one and every 3 weeks (±3 days) thereafter.

Group II: participants 12 - 17 years old NKTR-214 0.006mg/kg and Nivo Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

NKTR-214 0.006mg/kg and nivolumab 360mg will be administered intravenously on day 1 of week 1 of cycle one and every 3 weeks (±3 days) thereafter.

Nivolumab is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Switzerland for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Opdivo for:

• Advanced or metastatic gastric cancer
• Gastroesophageal junction cancer
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma
• Melanoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Urothelial carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Approved in European Union as Opdivo for:

• Melanoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Urothelial carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Gastroesophageal junction cancer
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma

Approved in Canada as Opdivo for:

• Melanoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Urothelial carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Gastroesophageal junction cancer
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma

Approved in Switzerland as Opdivo for:

• Melanoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Urothelial carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Gastroesophageal junction cancer
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Collaborator

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Rockefeller University

Collaborator

Trials

162

Recruited

16,700+

Stanford University

Collaborator

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a phase 2 study involving 85 patients with metastatic sarcoma, the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab showed a higher confirmed response rate (16%) compared to nivolumab alone (5%), indicating that the combination therapy may be more effective for certain sarcoma subtypes.

While both treatments had manageable safety profiles, serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 19% of patients receiving nivolumab and 26% in those receiving the combination therapy, suggesting that while the combination is promising, careful monitoring for side effects is necessary.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nivolumab with or without ipilimumab treatment for metastatic sarcoma (Alliance A091401): two open-label, non-comparative, randomised, phase 2 trials. D'Angelo, SP., Mahoney, MR., Van Tine, BA., et al.[2021]

Nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, shows strong antitumor activity but is associated with immune-related adverse events that can affect patient safety and treatment continuation, necessitating careful monitoring.

Long-term safety data, including a 5-year follow-up, suggests that nivolumab can be safely administered to various challenging patient subgroups, but identifying biomarkers for severe toxicity could improve patient selection for this therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An update on the safety of nivolumab for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Czarnecka, AM., Rutkowski, P.[2021]

In a study of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma treated with the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab, the objective response rate was 15%, with one complete response and five partial responses, indicating some level of efficacy.

The treatment was generally well tolerated, with a clinical benefit rate of 34% and a median overall survival of 12 months, although 58% of patients experienced adverse events, primarily mild, with a small percentage facing more severe complications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab for soft tissue sarcoma: a single institution retrospective review. Zhou, M., Bui, N., Bolleddu, S., et al.[2021]

Nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, shows a low rate of severe adverse effects (grade ≥3 AEs at 12%) and a very low mortality rate (0.25%), indicating it is a relatively safe treatment option for cancer patients.

In terms of efficacy, nivolumab demonstrates better treatment responses and survival rates compared to traditional chemotherapy, with a 1-year overall survival rate of 52% and a significantly higher objective response rate (ORR) of 26%.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and efficacy of nivolumab in the treatment of cancers: A meta-analysis of 27 prospective clinical trials. Tie, Y., Ma, X., Zhu, C., et al.[2022]

In a real-world study of 709 patients with advanced melanoma treated with ipilimumab plus nivolumab, 50.7% experienced severe treatment-related adverse events, highlighting the need for careful monitoring during therapy.

Despite the high rate of adverse events, the combination therapy showed promising long-term survival outcomes, with a median overall survival of 28.7 months and a 4-year overall survival rate of 50% for patients similar to those in the CheckMate-067 trial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Real-world Outcomes of Ipilimumab Plus Nivolumab Combination Therapy in a Nation-wide Cohort of Advanced Melanoma Patients in the Netherlands. van Zeijl, MCT., van Breeschoten, J., de Wreede, LC., et al.[2023]

In a meta-analysis of 46 studies involving 12,808 cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, the overall incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) was found to be 26.82%, with severe irAEs occurring in 6.10% of patients.

The types of irAEs varied by organ system and were influenced by the specific drug and cancer type, but the occurrence of these adverse events was not related to the dosage of the PD-1 inhibitors, indicating a need for careful monitoring regardless of treatment levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immune-Related Adverse Events Associated with Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Treatment for Malignancies: A Meta-Analysis. Wang, PF., Chen, Y., Song, SY., et al.[2022]

Nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared to docetaxel in patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the CheckMate 017 trial.

Nivolumab was better tolerated than docetaxel, with manageable adverse effects, making it a promising treatment option for patients who have already undergone chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nivolumab: a review in advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Keating, GM.[2022]

In a study of treatment-naive patients with PD-L1 positive metastatic soft tissue sarcomas, the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab (NPI) significantly improved overall survival (12.2 months) and progression-free survival (4.1 months) compared to nivolumab alone (NIV), which had overall survival of 9.2 months and progression-free survival of 2.2 months.

While NPI showed greater efficacy in extending survival, it was associated with a higher incidence of severe adverse events (72.9% in NPI vs. 27.1% in NIV), indicating that while it may be more effective, it is also less tolerated.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab in individuals with treatment-naive programmed death-ligand 1 positive metastatic soft tissue sarcomas: a multicentre retrospective study. Chen, Y., Liu, X., Liu, J., et al.[2023]

The combination of the mTOR inhibitor nab-sirolimus and the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab was found to be safe for patients with advanced sarcoma, with a maximum-tolerated dose established at 100 mg/m2 and no unexpected adverse events reported.

While the treatment did not improve overall outcomes compared to nivolumab alone, the best responses were observed in patients with specific genetic mutations, such as PTEN loss and TSC2 mutation, indicating potential for biomarker-driven approaches in future research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Phase I/II Investigation of Safety and Efficacy of Nivolumab and nab-Sirolimus in Patients With a Variety of Tumors With Genetic Mutations in the mTOR Pathway. Gordon, EM., Angel, NL., Omelchenko, N., et al.[2023]

In a study of 53 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab, those who experienced immune-related adverse events (irAEs) had significantly better overall survival compared to those without irAEs, indicating a potential link between irAEs and treatment efficacy.

The study found that a lower platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio before treatment was a risk factor associated with the development of irAEs, suggesting that this ratio could be a useful predictor for monitoring patient responses to nivolumab.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association Between Immune-related Adverse Events and Clinical Outcome Following Nivolumab Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Kobayashi, K., Iikura, Y., Hiraide, M., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. ir.nektar.com ir.nektar.com/news-releases/news-release-details/preliminary-data-nktr-214-combination-opdivo-nivolumab-patients

Preliminary Data for NKTR-214 in Combination with ... In clinical and preclinical studies, treatment with NKTR-214 resulted in expansion of these cells and mobilization into the tumor micro-environment.2,3,4 NKTR- ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03635983

NCT03635983 | A Study of NKTR-214 Combined With ... The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness (how well the drug works), safety, and tolerability of the investigational drug called NKTR-214.

3. ir.nektar.com ir.nektar.com/news-releases/news-release-details/first-data-nktr-214-combination-opdivor-nivolumab-patients-stage

First Data for NKTR-214 in Combination with OPDIVO ... In clinical and preclinical studies, treatment with NKTR-214 resulted in expansion of these cells and mobilization into the tumor micro-environment.

4. news.bms.com news.bms.com/news/details/2016/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-and-Nektar-Therapeutics-Announce-Oncology-Clinical-Collaboration-to-Evaluate-the-Combination-of-Opdivo-nivolumab-and-NKTR-214/default.aspx

Corporate news details The Phase 1/2 clinical trials will evaluate the potential for the combination of Opdivo and NKTR-214 to show improved and sustained efficacy and tolerability ...

5. onclive.com onclive.com/view/nktr214nivolumab-efficacy-sustained-in-phase-ii-findings

NKTR-214/Nivolumab Efficacy Sustained in Phase II Findings Combining the CD122-biased cytokine NKTR-214 with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab (Opdivo) showed promising antitumor activity, particularly in PD- ...

6. prnewswire.com prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-data-for-nktr-214-in-combination-with-opdivo-nivolumab-for-patients-with-stage-iv-melanoma-renal-cell-carcinoma-and-non-small-cell-lung-cancers-including-patients-with-pd-l1-negative-status-revealed-at-sitc-2017-300554250.html

First Data for NKTR-214 in Combination with OPDIVO ... In the combination treatment, there were no Grade 3 or higher immune-mediated adverse events at the recommended Phase 2 dose or below. Nektar ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03282344

A Study of NKTR-214 in Combination With Nivolumab ... The purpose of this study is to test any good and bad effects of the combination of study drugs called NKTR-214 and nivolumab. Official Title. A Pilot Study of ...