MedPath

Pemetrexed and/or Sunitinib as Second-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Stage IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer AJCC v7
Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer AJCC v7
Interventions
Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis
Registration Number
NCT00698815
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Brief Summary

This randomized phase II trial studies pemetrexed disodium and sunitinib malate to compare how well they work when given alone or together as second-line therapy in treating patients with stage IIIB or stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as pemetrexed disodium, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Sunitinib malate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor. It is not yet known whether pemetrexed disodium and sunitinib malate are more effective when given alone or together in treating non-small cell lung cancer.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To estimate the 18 week progression-free survival rate of pemetrexed (pemetrexed disodium) alone (Arm I), sunitinib (sunitinib malate) alone (Arm II) and pemetrexed plus sunitinib (Arm III) in the second-line setting of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To compare the progression-free survival of the three arms. II. To estimate the response rate, duration of response, rate of stable disease, overall survival and to characterize the toxicity profiles of the three arms.

III. To estimate the response rate, duration of response, rate of stable disease, overall survival and toxicity of sunitinib in those patients on Arm I that receive this regimen in the third line setting.

IV. To assess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) haplotypes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

V. To test change in tumor size at 6 weeks (after 2 cycles of therapy, typically the first evaluation point in this type of study) as an early predictor of therapeutic activity in second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms.

ARM I: Patients receive pemetrexed disodium intravenously (IV) over 10 minutes on day 1. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive sunitinib malate as in Arm II as third-line therapy.

ARM II: Patients receive sunitinib malate orally (PO) once daily (QD) on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive pemetrexed disodium as in Arm I as third-line therapy.

ARM III: Patients receive pemetrexed disodium IV over 10 minutes on day 1 and sunitinib malate PO QD on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive third-line therapy at the discretion of the treating physician.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 6 weeks until disease progression and then every 6 months for 2 years.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
130
Inclusion Criteria
  • Histologic documentation: histologic or cytologic documentation of NSCLC

  • Stage: IIIB/IV with evidence of disease progression following first-line therapy

  • Tumor site: lung (non-small cell)

  • No cavitary lesions

  • Only one prior chemotherapy regimen in the first-line stage IIIB/IV setting is allowed; this could have been either a platinum- or non-platinum-based regimen

  • First-line therapy must be completed >= 28 days before registration

  • Prior adjuvant therapy is allowed provided the patient had one previous regimen in the advanced stage IIIB/IV setting

  • At least 28 days from prior major surgery and at least 14 days from any prior radiotherapy before registration

  • No prior inhibitors of VEGF receptor (VEGFR) (e.g., SU5416, SU6668, AZ6474, SU11248, PTK787, AZD2171, AEE-788, sorafenib); prior treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and bevacizumab is allowed, provided at least 4 weeks has elapsed

  • No prior pemetrexed

  • Patients must have measurable or non-measurable disease

    • Measurable disease

      • Lesions that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest diameter to be recorded) as >= 2 cm with conventional techniques or as >= 1 cm with spiral computed tomography (CT) scan
    • Non-measurable disease

      • All other lesions, including small lesions (longest diameter < 20 mm with conventional techniques or < 10 mm with spiral CT scan) and truly nonmeasurable lesions
    • Lesions that are considered non-measurable include the following:

      • Bone lesions
      • Leptomeningeal disease
      • Ascites
      • Pleural/pericardial effusion
      • Lymphangitis cutis/pulmonis
      • Abdominal masses that are not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
      • Cystic lesions
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1

  • Pregnant or nursing mothers are not eligible for this study; patients in their child bearing years must have a baseline negative pregnancy test (in the case of females); males and females must practice appropriate contraceptive measures during the period of protocol therapy and for 6 months after completion of protocol therapy; appropriate methods of birth control include abstinence, oral contraceptives, implantable hormonal contraceptives (Norplant), or double barrier method (diaphragm plus condom)

  • No ongoing cardiac dysrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, or history of corrected QT interval (QTc interval) > 500 msec (within 2 years prior to registration); the use of agents with proarrhythmic potential (e.g., quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, sotalol, probucol, bepridil, haloperidol, risperidone, indapamide, flecainide) is not recommended while on protocol therapy

  • Patients with class I New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure are eligible; patients with a history of class II NYHA heart failure are eligible, provided they meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • Patients with a history of class II heart failure who are asymptomatic on treatment
    • Patients with prior anthracycline exposure
    • Patients who have received central thoracic radiation that included the heart in the radiotherapy port
  • Patients with a history of symptomatic congestive heart failure within 12 months prior to entry are not eligible

  • No myocardial infarction, severe/unstable angina, coronary/peripheral artery bypass graft or stenting, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack within the last year

  • Patients with hypertension that cannot be controlled by medications (> 150/100 mmHg despite optimal medical therapy) are not eligible

  • Patients who require use of therapeutic anticoagulation for thromboembolic disease are not eligible; Note: low doses of Coumadin (up to 2 mg daily) are permitted for prophylaxis of thrombosis

  • No history of venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or hypercoagulopathy syndrome

  • No history of pulmonary hemorrhage, bleeding diathesis, or evidence of hemoptysis; patients with blood-tinged or blood-streaked sputum will be permitted on study if the hemoptysis amounts to less than 5 mL of blood per episode and less than 10 mL of blood per 24-hour period in the best estimate of the investigator

  • Patients with a history of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism are eligible, provided they are currently euthyroid

  • None of the following within 28 days of beginning treatment: abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, intra-abdominal abscess, serious or non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture

  • The use of the following specific inhibitors and inducers of cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A, polypeptide 4 (CYP3A4) is not permitted; the following inhibitors of CYP3A4 are prohibited within 7 days before and during treatment with sunitinib: azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), diltiazem, clarithromycin, erythromycin, verapamil, delavirdine, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (indinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir, atazanavir, nelfinavir); the following inducers of CYP3A4 are prohibited within 12 days before beginning and during treatment with sunitinib: rifampin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, St. John's Wort, efavirenz, tipranavir

    • Other inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 may be used if necessary, but their use is discouraged
  • No symptomatic or untreated central nervous system (CNS) metastases; patients with CNS metastases must be asymptomatic, must have received definitive therapy (>= 6 weeks since resection or >= 2 weeks since radiotherapy) for brain metastases, and be off steroids or on a stable dose for 2 weeks prior to registration

  • No chronic daily treatment with aspirin (> 325 mg/day) or non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents known to inhibit platelet function; treatment with dipyridamole (Persantine), ticlopidine (Ticlid), clopidogrel (Plavix) and/or cilostazol (Pletal) is not allowed

  • No pleural effusions or ascites that are detectable on physical exam

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Arm I (pemetrexed)Pemetrexed DisodiumPatients receive pemetrexed disodium 500 mg/m\^2 IV over 10 minutes on day 1. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive sunitinib malate as in Arm II as third-line therapy.
Arm III (pemetrexed and sunitinib)Pemetrexed DisodiumPatients receive pemetrexed disodium 500 mg/m\^2 IV over 10 minutes on day 1 and sunitinib malate at 37.5 mg PO QD on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive third-line therapy at the discretion of the treating physician.
Arm II (sunitinib)Laboratory Biomarker AnalysisPatients receive sunitinib malate at 37.5 mg PO QD on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive pemetrexed disodium as in Arm I as third-line therapy.
Arm I (pemetrexed)Laboratory Biomarker AnalysisPatients receive pemetrexed disodium 500 mg/m\^2 IV over 10 minutes on day 1. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive sunitinib malate as in Arm II as third-line therapy.
Arm III (pemetrexed and sunitinib)Laboratory Biomarker AnalysisPatients receive pemetrexed disodium 500 mg/m\^2 IV over 10 minutes on day 1 and sunitinib malate at 37.5 mg PO QD on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive third-line therapy at the discretion of the treating physician.
Arm II (sunitinib)Sunitinib MalatePatients receive sunitinib malate at 37.5 mg PO QD on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive pemetrexed disodium as in Arm I as third-line therapy.
Arm III (pemetrexed and sunitinib)Sunitinib MalatePatients receive pemetrexed disodium 500 mg/m\^2 IV over 10 minutes on day 1 and sunitinib malate at 37.5 mg PO QD on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with documented disease progression may then receive third-line therapy at the discretion of the treating physician.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
18 Week Progression-free Survival (PFS) RateAt 18 weeks

The 18 week progression-free survival rate was defined as the proportion of patients that were alive and progression-free 18 weeks after registration into the study. Disease progression was assessed per modified RECIST criteria, and defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameters of target lesions, in either primary or nodal lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum longest diameter recorded since the baseline measurements, or the appearance of new lesions. Kaplan-Meier estimate of 18-week progression-free survival was calculated.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
PFSTime from randomization to disease progression and death of any cause, whichever comes first (up to 3 years)

PFS was defined as the time from randomization until disease progression or death, whichever occurs first. The median PFS with 95% CI was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Progression is defined as in the primary outcome measure.

Overall Response RateDuration of treatment (up to 3 years)

The proportion of patients who respond (completely or partially) to each combination regimen will be estimated. An exact binomial confidence interval will be computed for these estimates.

Response was defined using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria: Complete Response (CR): disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR) 30% decrease in sum of longest diameter of target lesions.

Overall Survival (OS)Time from randomization to death (up to 3 years)

OS is defined as the time from patient randomization to death from any cause. The median OS with 95% CI was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Trial Locations

Locations (129)

University of Vermont College of Medicine

🇺🇸

Burlington, Vermont, United States

Iredell Memorial Hospital

🇺🇸

Statesville, North Carolina, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Spartanburg

🇺🇸

Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States

Kaiser Permanente-Riverside

🇺🇸

Riverside, California, United States

Eastern Maine Medical Center

🇺🇸

Bangor, Maine, United States

University of Iowa Healthcare Cancer Services Quad Cities

🇺🇸

Bettendorf, Iowa, United States

Michiana Hematology Oncology PC-Westville

🇺🇸

Westville, Indiana, United States

University of Iowa/Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Iowa City VA Healthcare System

🇺🇸

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Union Hospital of Cecil County

🇺🇸

Elkton, Maryland, United States

Great Plains Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

North Platte, Nebraska, United States

Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care

🇺🇸

Augusta, Maine, United States

Nebraska Cancer Research Center

🇺🇸

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States

CHI Health Saint Francis

🇺🇸

Grand Island, Nebraska, United States

Saint Francis Hospital

🇺🇸

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

McLeod Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Florence, South Carolina, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Faris

🇺🇸

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

LRGHealthcare-Lakes Region General Hospital

🇺🇸

Laconia, New Hampshire, United States

Self Regional Healthcare

🇺🇸

Greenwood, South Carolina, United States

Central Vermont Medical Center/National Life Cancer Treatment

🇺🇸

Berlin, Vermont, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Greer

🇺🇸

Greer, South Carolina, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Seneca

🇺🇸

Seneca, South Carolina, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Eastside

🇺🇸

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Butternut

🇺🇸

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

Saint Mary's Medical Center

🇺🇸

Huntington, West Virginia, United States

University of Illinois

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Easley

🇺🇸

Easley, South Carolina, United States

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Nevada Cancer Research Foundation CCOP

🇺🇸

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center at Milford Regional

🇺🇸

Milford, Massachusetts, United States

University of California San Diego

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

Capital Region Medical Center-Goldschmidt Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Jefferson City, Missouri, United States

Exeter Hospital

🇺🇸

Exeter, New Hampshire, United States

North Shore University Hospital

🇺🇸

Manhasset, New York, United States

Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center

🇺🇸

Syracuse, New York, United States

New Hanover Regional Medical Center/Zimmer Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Marion L Shepard Cancer Center at Vidant Beaufort Hospital

🇺🇸

Washington, North Carolina, United States

Kinston Medical Specialists PA

🇺🇸

Kinston, North Carolina, United States

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island

🇺🇸

Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States

Greenville Health System Cancer Institute-Andrews

🇺🇸

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

🇺🇸

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

🇺🇸

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Mount Sinai Medical Center

🇺🇸

Miami Beach, Florida, United States

Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Joliet Oncology-Hematology Associates Limited

🇺🇸

Joliet, Illinois, United States

University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center

🇺🇸

La Grange, Illinois, United States

Elkhart General Hospital

🇺🇸

Elkhart, Indiana, United States

IU Health La Porte Hospital

🇺🇸

La Porte, Indiana, United States

Lakeland Hospital

🇺🇸

Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States

Michiana Hematology Oncology PC-Plymouth

🇺🇸

Plymouth, Indiana, United States

Community Howard Regional Health

🇺🇸

Kokomo, Indiana, United States

Northern Indiana Cancer Research Consortium

🇺🇸

South Bend, Indiana, United States

Missouri Baptist Medical Center

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Brigham and Women's Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

🇺🇸

Newton, Massachusetts, United States

Lakeland Community Hospital

🇺🇸

Niles, Michigan, United States

Marie Yeager Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States

Center for Cancer Care and Research

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

University of Missouri - Ellis Fischel

🇺🇸

Columbia, Missouri, United States

University of Minnesota/Masonic Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Long Island Jewish Medical Center

🇺🇸

New Hyde Park, New York, United States

Northwell Health/Center for Advanced Medicine

🇺🇸

New Hyde Park, New York, United States

University Medical Center of Southern Nevada

🇺🇸

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Glens Falls Hospital

🇺🇸

Glens Falls, New York, United States

Cooper Hospital University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Camden, New Jersey, United States

Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York-East Syracuse

🇺🇸

East Syracuse, New York, United States

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

🇺🇸

Syracuse, New York, United States

Randolph Hospital

🇺🇸

Asheboro, North Carolina, United States

Annie Penn Memorial Hospital

🇺🇸

Reidsville, North Carolina, United States

Cone Health Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Wayne Memorial Hospital

🇺🇸

Goldsboro, North Carolina, United States

Greenville Memorial Hospital

🇺🇸

Greenville, South Carolina, United States

Memorial Hospital Of Martinsville

🇺🇸

Martinsville, Virginia, United States

Danville Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Danville, Virginia, United States

Kaiser Permanente-Baldwin Park

🇺🇸

Baldwin Park, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente-Anaheim

🇺🇸

Anaheim, California, United States

Arroyo Grande Community

🇺🇸

Arroyo Grande, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente-Bellflower

🇺🇸

Bellflower, California, United States

Eden Hospital Medical Center

🇺🇸

Castro Valley, California, United States

Bay Area Breast Surgeons Inc

🇺🇸

Emeryville, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente Hospital

🇺🇸

Fontana, California, United States

Tom K Lee Inc

🇺🇸

Oakland, California, United States

Valley Medical Oncology Consultants-Fremont

🇺🇸

Fremont, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente - Harbor City

🇺🇸

Harbor City, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

Highland General Hospital

🇺🇸

Oakland, California, United States

Valley Care Health System - Pleasanton

🇺🇸

Pleasanton, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente - Panorama City

🇺🇸

Panorama City, California, United States

Bay Area Tumor Institute

🇺🇸

Oakland, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente-San Diego Zion

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

PCR Oncology

🇺🇸

Pismo Beach, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente-San Diego Mission

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

Doctors Medical Center- JC Robinson Regional Cancer Center

🇺🇸

San Pablo, California, United States

Norwalk Hospital

🇺🇸

Norwalk, Connecticut, United States

Christiana Care Health System-Christiana Hospital

🇺🇸

Newark, Delaware, United States

Holy Cross Hospital

🇺🇸

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Hartford Hospital

🇺🇸

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Middlesex Hospital

🇺🇸

Middletown, Connecticut, United States

Nebraska Methodist Hospital

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Creighton University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

University of Nebraska Medical Center

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Comprehensive Cancer Care PC

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

🇺🇸

Oakland, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente-Irvine

🇺🇸

Irvine, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente-Cadillac

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente-San Marcos

🇺🇸

San Marcos, California, United States

Hematology and Oncology Associates-Oakland

🇺🇸

Oakland, California, United States

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

🇺🇸

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Valley Medical Oncology Consultants-Castro Valley

🇺🇸

Castro Valley, California, United States

East Bay Radiation Oncology Center

🇺🇸

Castro Valley, California, United States

Contra Costa Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Martinez, California, United States

Valley Medical Oncology Consultants

🇺🇸

Pleasanton, California, United States

El Camino Hospital

🇺🇸

Mountain View, California, United States

Kaiser Permanente

🇺🇸

Woodland Hills, California, United States

Jupiter Medical Center

🇺🇸

Jupiter, Florida, United States

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center-Mishawaka

🇺🇸

Mishawaka, Indiana, United States

Elkhart Clinic

🇺🇸

Elkhart, Indiana, United States

Michiana Hematology Oncology PC-Elkhart

🇺🇸

Elkhart, Indiana, United States

Michiana Hematology Oncology PC-Mishawaka

🇺🇸

Mishawaka, Indiana, United States

Memorial Hospital of South Bend

🇺🇸

South Bend, Indiana, United States

Michiana Hematology Oncology PC-South Bend

🇺🇸

South Bend, Indiana, United States

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

🇺🇸

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Beebe Medical Center

🇺🇸

Lewes, Delaware, United States

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