MedPath

Docetaxel + Plinabulin Compared to Docetaxel + Placebo in Patients With Advanced NSCLC

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02504489
Lead Sponsor
BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Brief Summary

To compare the overall survival of NSCLC patients receiving 2nd- or 3rd-line systemic therapy with docetaxel + plinabulin (DP Arm) to patients treated with docetaxel + placebo (D5W) (D Arm) for advanced or metastatic disease.

Secondary purposes of the study are:

* To compare overall response rate (ORR) of NSCLC patients receiving 2nd- or 3rd-line systemic therapy with docetaxel + plinabulin (DP Arm) to patients treated with docetaxel + placebo (D5W) (D Arm) for advanced or metastatic disease.

* To compare progression free survival (PFS) of NSCLC patients receiving 2nd- or 3rd-line systemic therapy with docetaxel + plinabulin (DP Arm) to patients treated with docetaxel + placebo (D5W) (D Arm) for advanced or metastatic disease.

* To compare incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count \[ANC\] \< 0.5 × 109/L) on Day 8 (+/- 1 day) of Cycle 1 of NSCLC patients receiving 2nd- or 3rd-line systemic therapy with docetaxel + plinabulin (DP Arm) to patients treated with docetaxel + placebo (D5W) (D Arm) for advanced or metastatic disease.

* To compare 24-month and 36-month OS rate of NSCLC patients receiving 2nd- or 3rd-line systemic therapy with docetaxel + plinabulin (DP Arm) to patients treated with docetaxel + placebo (D5W) (D Arm) for advanced or metastatic disease.

Detailed Description

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization's Global Cancer Observatory, there were an estimated 2.09 million new cases and 1.76 million deaths worldwide in 2018 (GLOBOCAN, 2018, Fact Sheet N⁰39). The lung cancer incidence and mortality in China is relatively high compared to most countries with an estimated 774,323 new cases and 690,567 deaths in 2018 (GLOBOCAN, 2018, Fact Sheet N⁰160 China). In the US, as per the estimates of the National Cancer Institute, there would be about 228,820 new cases and 135,720 deaths from lung cancer in 2020 accounting for approximately 22.4% of all cancer deaths (SEER program, 2020). About 84% of lung cancers are NSCLCs in the US (American Cancer Society, 2020).

The prognosis for patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, either at initial diagnosis or recurrence, remains grim. The standard of care has been chemotherapy with agents including platinum analogs, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and pemetrexed with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and for patients with appropriate disease genotypes, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors.

First-line Therapy: For patients without specific molecular target, first-line therapy is usually a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)-inhibitor or a platinum-containing, double agent regimen. Platinum can be either cisplatin or carboplatin, and the most commonly used drugs combined with platinum include paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine; other drugs such as irinotecan, etoposide, and vinblastine.

The arrival of immunotherapy with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab effectively changed the first-line standard. Pembrolizumab is very effective, with a long Duration of Response (DoR), however response rates remain suboptimal (approximately 45% in first line \[Keytruda® Prescribing Information. 2020\]). Most patients will eventually fail first line therapy and docetaxel remains a valid treatment option when NSCLC patients fail to respond to targeted or immune-based therapies or become refractory to such therapies.

For patients intolerant to platinum-containing regimens, platinum-free double-agent chemotherapy regimens are used as an alternative. For patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 2 and elderly patients, single-agent or double agent regimens are recommended. Approval has been obtained in China for the single agent gefitinib to be used in first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients with sensitive mutation of EGFR tyrosine kinase gene.

Second-line Therapy: Drugs used for second-line treatment include docetaxel, pemetrexed, EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for EGFR mutant patients, and the checkpoint inhibitors (such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab).

Several second-line treatment drugs and regimens (docetaxel, pemetrexed, and ramucirumab combined with docetaxel) have been approved as single agents or combination for second-line therapy for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR wild type with limited efficacy, characterized by limited clinical improvement or overall survival (OS). EGFR wild type represents around 85% of western NSCLC population, and around 70% of Asian NSCLC population. Checkpoint inhibition with PD 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy or other checkpoint inhibitors have moved into first line and are increasingly not an option for 2nd/3rd line. This has created a situation where docetaxel-based regimens have become standard-of-care in 2nd/3rd line NSCLC. Therefore, the evaluation of plinabulin combined with docetaxel versus docetaxel alone has become highly relevant.

Docetaxel, a taxane, binds to and stabilizes tubulin, thereby inhibiting microtubule disassembly resulting in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and subsequent cell death. In patients with NSCLC, previously treated with a platinum-based chemotherapy, second-line therapy with docetaxel afforded a median OS in the range from 5.7 to 7.5 months (Fossella, 2000; Shepherd, 2000). The most common AEs included infections, neutropenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia (FN), hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, dysgeusia, dyspnea, constipation, anorexia, nail disorders, fluid retention, asthenia, pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, mucositis, alopecia, skin reactions, and myalgia (Taxotere Prescribing Information, 2020). Since the approval of docetaxel in 1999 as the second-line treatment for advanced or metastatic NSCLC, other drugs, namely pemetrexed and erlotinib, have been approved for the same indication. However, despite the availability of newer treatments, patient survival has not improved over that achieved with docetaxel. The OS in these studies was found to remain in the range of 5.6 to 8.3 months (Hanna et al., 2004; Kim et al., 2008; Shepherd et al., 2005).

A retrospective analysis of the plinabulin Phase 2 study suggests that plinabulin prolongs survival in NSCLC patients with measurable lung tumors. The expectation is that patients with a measurable lung lesion may still harbor antigens that are immunogenic, thus capable of still stimulating the immune system. Docetaxel treatment is expected to release these immunogens and plinabulin is expected to enhance presentation of these immunogens via dendritic cell activation, to the T-cell repertoire.

This plinabulin study investigates the efficacy and safety of plinabulin and docetaxel combination in patients with EGFR wild type NSCLC and progressing tumors requiring second- or third- line therapy for advanced or metastatic disease after failing a platinum-containing regimen. The primary endpoint is OS, with docetaxel monotherapy as an active comparator.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
559
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Read More
Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Docetaxel (D)Docetaxel (D)A treatment cycle is 21 days. Treatment will be repeated until disease progression is detected by imaging studies or unacceptable toxicities are encountered. On Day 1, all patients will receive docetaxel 75 mg/m2 by intravenous (IV) infusion over 1 hour. Oral dexamethasone (16 mg, given as 8 mg twice daily) will be given on the day prior to, the day of (Day 1), and the day following docetaxel infusion (Day 2). Antiemetic prophylaxis will be administered according to institutional guideline for docetaxel. Institutional guideline/practice should be followed in the event of infusion/hypersensitivity reaction. Diphenhydramine and dexamethasone infusion may be administered in the event of infusion reaction.
Docetaxel + Plinabulin (DP)Docetaxel + Plinabulin (DP)The treatment regimen for Docetaxel (D) will be followed for this arm. In addition, on Days 1 and 8 of the 21 day cycle, patients will receive Plinabulin (P) administered via IV infusion over 60 minutes. On Day 1, the infusion begins 2 hours from the starting time of docetaxel infusion, i.e, approximately 60 minutes from the end of docetaxel infusion. On Day 8, patients must be given an anti-emetic prophylactically before the plinabulin infusion. If emesis persists after Day 8, with a grade \>1, plinabulin will be reduced to 20 mg/m2. Patients from the DP Arm who stop treatment with docetaxel due to toxicity or another medically acceptable reason, may continue treatment with plinabulin alone as previously described.
Docetaxel + Plinabulin (DP)Docetaxel (D)The treatment regimen for Docetaxel (D) will be followed for this arm. In addition, on Days 1 and 8 of the 21 day cycle, patients will receive Plinabulin (P) administered via IV infusion over 60 minutes. On Day 1, the infusion begins 2 hours from the starting time of docetaxel infusion, i.e, approximately 60 minutes from the end of docetaxel infusion. On Day 8, patients must be given an anti-emetic prophylactically before the plinabulin infusion. If emesis persists after Day 8, with a grade \>1, plinabulin will be reduced to 20 mg/m2. Patients from the DP Arm who stop treatment with docetaxel due to toxicity or another medically acceptable reason, may continue treatment with plinabulin alone as previously described.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall SurvivalMid-February 2021 (Approximately 2 years after study initiation)

Overall survival of NSCLC patients receiving 2nd- or 3rd-line systemic therapy

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
PFSApproximately 2 years after study initiation.

Progress-free survival

Severe NeutropeniaDay 8 of Cycle 1

Percent of patients without severe neutropenia on Day 8 of Cycle 1

Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-C30)Approximately 2 years after study initiation.

Average Quality of Life score over all observed weeks (scale 0 - 30, higher value represents better outcome)

Q-TWiSTApproximately 2 years after study initiation.

To compare the mean difference in quality-adjusted time without symptoms of disease and toxicity

QoL (QLQ-LC13)Approximately 2 years after study initiation.

To compare the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 global health status/QoL and the combined symptom scales/items (excluding financial difficulties)

Proportion of patients who received docetaxelDuring 1st 21-day cycle

To compare proportion of patients who received docetaxel \>8 cycles, \>10 cycles, and \>12 cycles

Month 18 OS Rate18 month after study initiation

To compare 18-month overall survival rate

Month 36 OS Rate36 month after study initiation

To compare 36-month overall survival rate

Month 24 OS Rate24-month after study initiation

To compare 24-month overall survival rate

ORRApproximately 2 years after study initiation.

Overall response rate

DoRApproximately 2 years after study initiation.

Duration of response

RDIFirst 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 cycles

To compare relative dose intensity \[where dose intensity is defined as dose in mg/m2/week\] of docetaxel

Month 12 OS Rate12 month after study initiation

To compare 12-month overall survival rate

Trial Locations

Locations (57)

Pacific Cancer Medical Center, Inc.

🇺🇸

Anaheim, California, United States

Peachtree Hematoloy-Oncology Consultants, PC

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University

🇨🇳

Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China

Jiangyin People's Hospital

🇨🇳

Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China

Jilin Province Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Changchun, Jilin, China

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

🇨🇳

Chendu, Sichuan, China

Tianjin People's Hospital

🇨🇳

Tianjin, Tianjin, China

Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University

🇨🇳

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Zhejiang Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University

🇨🇳

Hanzhou, Zhejiang, China

Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong Univers

🇨🇳

Shanghai, Shanghai, China

The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai

🇨🇳

Shanghai, Shanghai, China

The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong U

🇨🇳

Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital

🇨🇳

Yantai, Shangdong, China

Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute

🇨🇳

Shenyang, Liaoning, China

527-Linyi Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Linyi, Shangdong, China

Shandong Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Jinan, Shangdong, China

Perth Oncology/Mount Hospital

🇦🇺

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

St John of God Hospital, Subiaco

🇦🇺

Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia

Fiona Stanley Hospital

🇦🇺

Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia

Kansas University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Westwood, Kansas, United States

University of Cincinnati

🇺🇸

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers

🇺🇸

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Memorial Health Care System

🇺🇸

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Cancer Center of Central Connecticut

🇺🇸

Plainville, Connecticut, United States

University of Louisville-Brown Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Hattiesburg Clinic Hematology/Oncology

🇺🇸

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States

Central Care Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Bolivar, Missouri, United States

Michigan Center of Medical Research

🇺🇸

Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States

Allegheny Health Network

🇺🇸

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Toledo Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Toledo, Ohio, United States

Cookeville Regional Medical Center Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Cookeville, Tennessee, United States

Peninsula and South East Oncology

🇦🇺

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Gosford Hospital

🇦🇺

Gosford, New South Wales, Australia

Adult Mater Hospital

🇦🇺

South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Epworth Hospital

🇦🇺

Richmond, Victoria, Australia

Anhui Provincial Hospital

🇨🇳

Hefei, Anhui, China

Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Science

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Beijing Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University

🇨🇳

Xiamen, Fujian, China

The PLA General Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University

🇨🇳

Xiamen, Fujian, China

Guizhou Provincial Hospital

🇨🇳

Guiyang, Guizhou, China

Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical Unive

🇨🇳

Ha'erbin, Heilongjiang, China

The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South Unive

🇨🇳

Changsha, Hunan, China

Henan Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Jiangsu Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Nantong Tumor Hospital

🇨🇳

Nantong, Jiangsu, China

Jiangxi Provincial Tumor Hospital

🇨🇳

Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical Univ

🇨🇳

Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China

Wake Forest Baptist Health

🇺🇸

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Innovative Clinical Research Institute

🇺🇸

Whittier, California, United States

Orchard Healthcare Research Inc.

🇺🇸

Skokie, Illinois, United States

Blacktown Cancer Centre

🇦🇺

Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia

Carle Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Border Medical Oncology Research Unit

🇦🇺

East Albury, New South Wales, Australia

Henry Ford Hospital

🇺🇸

Detroit, Michigan, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath