MedPath

Effect of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) (150 kHz) Concurrent With Standard of Care Therapies for Treatment of Stage 4 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Following Platinum Failure (LUNAR)

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer
NSCLC
Interventions
Device: NovoTTF-200T
Drug: Immune checkpoint inhibitors or docetaxel
Registration Number
NCT02973789
Lead Sponsor
NovoCure GmbH
Brief Summary

The study is a prospective, randomized controlled phase III trial aimed to test the efficacy and safety of TTFields, using the NovoTTF-200T device, concurrent with standard therapies for stage 4 NSCLC patients, following progression while on or after platinum based treatment. The device is an experimental, portable, battery operated device for chronic administration of alternating electric fields (termed TTFields or TTF) to the region of the malignant tumor, by means of surface, insulated electrode arrays.

Detailed Description

PAST PRE-CLINICAL AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:

The effect of the electric fields (TTFields, TTF) has demonstrated significant activity in in vitro and in vivo NSCLC pre-clinical models both as a single modality treatment and in combination with chemotherapies and PD-1 inhibitors. TTFields have been demonstrated to act synergistically with taxanes and have been shown to be additive when combined with PD-1 inhibitors. In addition, TTFields have shown to inhibit metastatic spread of malignant melanoma in in vivo experiment.

In a pilot study, 42 patients with advanced NSCLC who had had tumor progression after at least one line of prior chemotherapy, received pemetrexed together with TTFields (150 kHz) applied to the chest and upper abdomen until disease progression (Pless M., et al., Lung Cancer 2011). The combination was well tolerated and the only device-related adverse event was mild to moderate contact dermatitis. Efficacy endpoints were remarkably high compared to historical data for pemetrexed alone.

In addition, a phase III trial of Optune® (200 kHz) as monotherapy compared to active chemotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma patients showed TTFields to be equivalent to active chemotherapy in extending survival, associated with minimal toxicity, good quality of life, and activity within the brain (14% response rate) (Stupp R., et al., EJC 2012). Finally, a phase III trial of Optune® combined with maintenance temozolomide compared to maintenance temozolomide alone has shown that combined therapy led to a significant improvement in both progression free survival and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma without the addition of high grade toxicity and without decline in quality of life (Stupp R., et al., JAMA 2015).

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIAL:

All patients included in this trial are patients with squamous or non-squamous, stage 4 NSCLC who had disease progression on or after receiving platinum based chemotherapy. In addition, all patients must meet all eligibility criteria.

Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Patients receive docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitor in combination with TTFields using the NovoTTF-100L System.

Patients receive docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitor without TTFields. Patients will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio. Baseline tests will be performed in patients enrolled in both arms. If assigned to the NovoTTF-100L group, the patients will be treated continuously with the device until disease progression in the thorax and/or liver according to RECIST or irRECIST (Immune-Related Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) (depending if the patient is receiving docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitor, respectively).

On both arms, patients who have disease progression according to RECIST or irRECIST (depending if the patient is receiving docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitor, respectively) will switch to a third line treatment according to local practice.

SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND:

Electric fields exert forces on electric charges similar to the way a magnet exerts forces on metallic particles within a magnetic field. These forces cause movement and rotation of electrically charged biological building blocks, much like the alignment of metallic particles seen along the lines of force radiating outwards from a magnet.

Electric fields can also cause muscles to twitch and if strong enough may heat tissues. TTFields are alternating electric fields of low intensity. This means that they change their direction repetitively many times a second. Since they change direction very rapidly (150 thousand times a second), they do not cause muscles to twitch, nor do they have any effects on other electrically activated tissues in the body (brain, nerves and heart). Since the intensities of TTFields in the body are very low, they do not cause heating.

The breakthrough finding made by Novocure was that finely tuned alternating fields of very low intensity, now termed TTFields (Tumor Treating Fields), cause a significant slowing in the growth of cancer cells. Due to the unique geometric shape of cancer cells when they are multiplying, TTFields cause electrically-charged cellular components of these cells to change their location within the dividing cell, disrupting their normal function and ultimately leading to cell death. In addition, cancer cells also contain miniature building blocks which act as tiny motors in moving essential parts of the cells from place to place. TTFields interfere with the normal orientation of these tiny motors related to other cellular components since they are electrically-charged as well. As a result of these two effects, tumor cell division is slowed, results in cellular death or reverses after continuous exposure to TTFields.

Other cells in the body (normal healthy tissues) are affected much less than cancer cells since they multiply at a much slower rate if at all. In addition TTFields can be directed to a certain part of the body, leaving sensitive areas out of their reach. Finally, the frequency of TTFields applied to each type of cancer is specific and may not damage normally dividing cells in healthy tissues.

In conclusion, TTFields hold the promise of serving as a brand new treatment for NSCLC with very few side effects.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
276
Inclusion Criteria
  1. 22 years of age and older (some regional variations to inclusion age exist)

  2. Life expectancy of ≥ 3 months

  3. Histological diagnosis of squamous or non-squamous, inoperable, metastatic NSCLC

  4. Diagnosis of radiological progression while on or after first platinum-based systemic therapy administered for advanced or metastatic disease.

    1. Patients who received adjuvant or neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy (after surgery and/or radiation therapy) and developed metastatic disease within 6 months of completing therapy are eligible.
    2. Patients with metastatic disease more than 6 months after adjuvant or neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy, who also subsequently progressed during or after a platinum- based regimen given to treat the advanced or metastatic disease, are eligible.
    3. Patients should not receive any systemic therapy after platinum failure before enrollment into the study. Maintenance therapy after platinum based therapy and prior to progression is allowed.
  5. ECOG Score of 0-2

  6. Assigned by the physician to receive either docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitor per standard of care regimen

  7. Able to operate the NovoTTF-200T device independently or with the help of a caregiver

  8. Signed informed consent for the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria
  1. Metastases to central nervous system (CNS) with clinical symptoms or evidence of new metastases to CNS during screening. Patients who previously received treatments for the metastases to CNS, are stable and meet the following requirements are allowed to be enrolled:

    1. The patients are neurologically returned to baseline (except for residual signs or symptoms related to CNS treatment).
    2. No treatment for the metastases to CNS during the screening period (e.g. surgery, radiotherapy, corticosteroid therapy- prednisone > 10 mg/day or equivalent).
    3. No progress in CNS lesions as indicated by MRI within 14 days prior to randomization.
    4. No meningeal metastasis or spinal cord compression.
  2. Patients planned to receive immune checkpoint inhibitor with contra-indications to receive immunotherapy

  3. Patients planned to receive docetaxel with contra-indications to receive docetaxel

  4. Severe comorbidities:

    1. Clinically significant (as determined by the investigator) hematological, hepatic and renal dysfunction, defined as: Neutrophil count < 1.5 x 10^9/L and platelet count < 100 x 10^9/L; bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN; AST and/or ALT > 2.5 x ULN or > 5 x ULN if patient has documented liver metastases; and serum creatinine > 1.5 x ULN
    2. History of significant cardiovascular disease unless the disease is well controlled. Significant cardiac disease includes second/third degree heart block; significant ischemic heart disease; poorly controlled hypertension; congestive heart failure of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II or worse (slight limitation of physical activity; comfortable at rest, but ordinary activity results in fatigue, palpitation or dyspnea)
    3. History of arrhythmia that is symptomatic or requires treatment. Patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter controlled by medication are not excluded from participation in the trial
    4. History of pericarditis
    5. History of interstitial lung disease
    6. History of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) within 6 months prior to randomization or that is not stable
    7. Active infection or serious underlying medical condition that would impair the ability of the patient to received protocol therapy
    8. History of any psychiatric condition that might impair patient's ability to understand or comply with the requirements of the study or to provide consent
    9. Any other malignancy requiring anti-tumor treatment in the past three years, excluding treated stage I prostate cancer, in situ cervical cancer, in situ breast cancer and non-melanomatous skin cancer
  5. Concurrent treatment with other experimental treatments for NSCLC while on the study

  6. Implantable electronic medical devices (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator) in the upper torso

  7. Known allergies to medical adhesives or hydrogel

  8. Pregnancy or breast-feeding (patients with reproductive potential must use effective contraception methods throughout the entire study period, as determined by their investigator/gynecologist)

  9. Admitted to an institution by administrative or court order

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
NovoTTF-200TNovoTTF-200TPatients receive TTFields using the NovoTTF-200T device together with immune checkpoint inhibitors or docetaxel
NovoTTF-200TImmune checkpoint inhibitors or docetaxelPatients receive TTFields using the NovoTTF-200T device together with immune checkpoint inhibitors or docetaxel
Best Standard of CareImmune checkpoint inhibitors or docetaxelPatients receive best standard of care with immune checkpoint inhibitors or docetaxel
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall survival of patients treated with TTFields + docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitors vs. docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitors alone (superiority analysis)4 years
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall survival of patients treated with TTFields + immune checkpoint inhibitors vs. immune checkpoint inhibitors alone (superiority)4 years
Overall Survival of patients treated with TTFields + docetaxel Vs. immune checkpoint inhibitors alone (non-inferiority analysis)4 years
Analyses of the effects of NovoTTF-200T with each type of immune checkpoint inhibitor on overall survival and progression free survival4 years
The effect of treatment compliance with NovoTTF-200T on overall survival and progression free survival outcomes4 years
Overall radiological response rate (based on RECIST criteria) of patients treated with docetaxel or Immune checkpoint inhibitors + TTFields vs. docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitors alone.4 years
Overall survival of patients treated with TTFields + docetaxel vs. docetaxel alone (superiority analysis)4 years
Progression-free survival of patients treated with docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitors + TTFields vs. docetaxel or immune checkpoint inhibitors alone, based on RECIST Criteria4 years
Quality of life using the EORTC QLQ C30 questionnaire with LC13 addendum4 years
Analysis of the effects of NovoTTF-200T on overall survival and progression free survival within each histological subgroup (squamous and non-squamous)4 years
Adverse events, severity and frequency based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) V4.034 years

Trial Locations

Locations (124)

Clinical Oncology Associates

🇺🇸

Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States

Dallas VA Medical Center

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

Renown Regional Medical Center Institute for Cancer

🇺🇸

Reno, Nevada, United States

Stony Brook Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Stony Brook, New York, United States

University of Illinois Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Tufts Medical Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Clinique André Renard Herstal Oncologie

🇧🇪

Herstal, Belgium

GenesisCare USA

🇺🇸

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

California Cancer Associates for Research and Excellence, Inc. cCARE

🇺🇸

Fresno, California, United States

UT/Erlanger Oncology & Hematology

🇺🇸

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Illinois CancerCare, P.C.

🇺🇸

Peoria, Illinois, United States

Associated Neurologists of Southern CT, P.C.

🇺🇸

Fairfield, Connecticut, United States

Northern Westchester Hospital

🇺🇸

Mount Kisco, New York, United States

W.G. Bill Hefner VA Med Center

🇺🇸

Salisbury, North Carolina, United States

Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne

🇵🇱

Gdansk, Poland

ASL 3, Ospedale Villa Scassi

🇮🇹

Genova, Italy

Baylor Scott & White Health/McClinton Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Waco, Texas, United States

Innovative Clinical Research Institute

🇺🇸

Whittier, California, United States

Detroit Clinical Research Center

🇺🇸

Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States

Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU

🇺🇸

Springfield, Illinois, United States

Texas Oncology - Amarillo

🇺🇸

Amarillo, Texas, United States

Washington Cancer Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center

🇺🇸

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Texas Oncology - Arlington

🇺🇸

Arlington, Texas, United States

Texas Oncology-Waco

🇺🇸

Waco, Texas, United States

Complex Oncology Center (COC) - Plovdiv EOOD,

🇧🇬

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Summa Health

🇺🇸

Akron, Ohio, United States

Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Estrie - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS)

🇨🇦

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

University Hospital Centre Zagreb

🇭🇷

Zagreb, Croatia

Institut Jules Bordet - Department of Intensive Care and Thoracic Oncology

🇧🇪

Brussels, Belgium

Presbyterian Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Texas Oncology-McKinney

🇺🇸

McKinney, Texas, United States

Washington University School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

Central Maine Medical Center

🇺🇸

Lewiston, Maine, United States

AH-HP Hôpital Saint Louis

🇫🇷

Paris, France

New York-Presbyterian/Queens Radiation Oncology

🇺🇸

Flushing, New York, United States

AZ Sint Maarten

🇧🇪

Mechelen, Belgium

St Jansdal Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Harderwijk, Netherlands

UOC Oncologia Medica Presidio Ospedaliero di Ravenna AUSL della Romagna

🇮🇹

Ravenna, Italy

Saronno Hospital

🇮🇹

Saronno, Italy

Geisinger Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Danville, Pennsylvania, United States

Texas Oncology - Paris

🇺🇸

Paris, Texas, United States

CHU Caremeau Service de Pneumologie

🇫🇷

Nîmes, France

Universitätsklinikum Halle - Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin IV

🇩🇪

Halle (Saale), Germany

INSTITUT BERGONIE Centre Régional de Lutte Contre le Cancer

🇫🇷

Bordeaux, France

General University Hospital in Prague

🇨🇿

Prague, Czechia

Oncology Specialists of Charlotte

🇺🇸

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

UW Carbone Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Medical University Salzburg, State Hospital, University hospital for internal medicine III / PMU

🇦🇹

Salzburg, Austria

Queen Mary Hospital

🇭🇰

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Clinical Hospital of Przemienienia Pańskiego UM in Poznaniu

🇵🇱

Poznan, Poland

Samodzielny Publiczny Wojewódzki Szpital Zespolony w Szczecinie

🇵🇱

Szczecin, Poland

Texas Oncology- Plano West

🇺🇸

Plano, Texas, United States

Centre Hospitalier de Beauvais

🇫🇷

Beauvais, France

McGill University Health Centre

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Groupe Hospitalier Bretagne Sud

🇫🇷

Lorient, France

Hospital Virgen de la Salud

🇪🇸

Toledo, Spain

MS Clinsearch Specjalistyczny NZOZ

🇵🇱

Lublin, Poland

Erasmus Mc

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Tolna County, Balassa Janos Hospital, Department of oncology

🇭🇺

Szekszárd, Hungary

Vitkovicka nemocnice

🇨🇿

Vitkovice, Czechia

Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

IRCCS - Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST)

🇮🇹

Meldola, Italy

Thomayerova Nemocnice Dept. of Pneumology

🇨🇿

Prague, Czechia

Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

University Clinical Center Kragujevac

🇷🇸

Kragujevac, Serbia

Hospital Quirón Teknon, Instituto Oncológico Dr. Rosell

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova

🇪🇸

Lleida, Catalonia, Spain

Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya Medical Oncology Department

🇪🇸

Málaga, Spain

OptumCare Cancer Care

🇺🇸

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Miami Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

Cancer Center at St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center

🇺🇸

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Karmanos Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah

🇺🇸

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Beijing Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University

🇨🇳

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Henan Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Henan Provincial People's Hospital

🇨🇳

Zhengzhou, Henan, China

PKUCare Luzhong Hospital

🇨🇳

Zibo, Shandong, China

Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine

🇨🇳

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Zhejiang Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center

🇨🇳

Guangzhou, China

Hospital Universitari i Politécnic La Fe

🇪🇸

Valencia, Spain

Central Alabama Research

🇺🇸

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

CHI Health Research Center

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Oncology Hematology West, PC dba Nebraska Cancer Specialists

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

University of Nebraska Medical Center

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Ironwood Cancer & Research Center

🇺🇸

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Beverly Hills Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Beverly Hills, California, United States

Redlands Community Hospital (Emad Ibrahim, MD, Inc.)

🇺🇸

Redlands, California, United States

Mount Sinai Medical Center

🇺🇸

Miami Beach, Florida, United States

BRCR Medical Center INC

🇺🇸

Plantation, Florida, United States

University of Kansas Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Westwood, Kansas, United States

Franciscan Health Indianapolis

🇺🇸

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

University of Maryland School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

CHRISTUS Health

🇺🇸

Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

HealthPartners Institute, Regions Cancer Care Center

🇺🇸

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Vita Medical Associates, P.C.

🇺🇸

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

Toledo Clinic Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Toledo, Ohio, United States

Christus Health Spohn Ministry

🇺🇸

Corpus Christi, Texas, United States

Texas Oncology- Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

Oncology Consultants, P.A.

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Overlake Medical Center & Clinics

🇺🇸

Bellevue, Washington, United States

Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Quentin Service de pneumologie

🇫🇷

Saint-Quentin, France

Saddleback Memorial Medical Center

🇺🇸

Laguna Hills, California, United States

St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare

🇺🇸

Fullerton, California, United States

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at North Colorado Medical Center

🇺🇸

Greeley, Colorado, United States

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

🇺🇸

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States

Sutter Institute for Medical Research

🇺🇸

Sacramento, California, United States

Dignity Health - Mercy Cancer Centers

🇺🇸

Sacramento, California, United States

AdventHealth Orlando

🇺🇸

Orlando, Florida, United States

Adult Oncology Research

🇺🇸

Orlando, Florida, United States

Norton Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

University Medical Center, Inc; DBA University of Louisville

🇺🇸

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Piedmont Radiation Oncology, PA

🇺🇸

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Saint Luke's Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Kantonsspital Winterthur Tumorzentrum Winterthur

🇨🇭

Winterthur, Switzerland

Bezanijska kosa Clinical Hospital Center

🇷🇸

Belgrade, Serbia

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

Allan Blair Cancer Center

🇨🇦

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Centrum Terapii Współczesnej

🇵🇱

Łódź, Poland

LSU Health Sciences Center -New Orleans

🇺🇸

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Tulane Cancer Center

🇺🇸

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

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