Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Therapy for Participants With Resectable Stage II, IIIA, and Resectable IIIB (T3-4N2) Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (MK-3475-671/KEYNOTE-671)

Purpose

This trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in combination with platinum doublet neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before surgery [neoadjuvant phase], followed by pembrolizumab alone after surgery [adjuvant phase] in participants with resectable stage II, IIIA, and resectable IIIB (T3-4N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary hypotheses of this study are that neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (vs. placebo) in combination with NAC, followed by surgery and adjuvant pembrolizumab (vs. placebo) will improve: 1) event free survival (EFS) by biopsy assessed by local pathologist or by investigator-assessed imaging using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1); and 2) overall survival (OS).

Condition

  • Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Have previously untreated and pathologically confirmed resectable Stage II, IIIA, or IIIB (N2) NSCLC. - If male, must agree to use contraception or practice abstinence as well as refrain from donating sperm during the treatment period and for the time needed to eliminate each study intervention after the last dose of study intervention. - If female, may participate if not pregnant or breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions apply: 1) not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP); or 2) a WOCBP who agrees to follow contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for the time needed to eliminate each study intervention after the last dose of study intervention and agrees not to donate eggs (ova, oocytes) to others or freeze/store for her own use for the purpose of reproduction during this period. - Have available formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue sample blocks for submission. If blocks are not available, have unstained slides for submission for central programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) testing. - Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1 within 10 days of randomization. - Have adequate organ function.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Has one of the following tumor locations/types:1) NSCLC involving the superior sulcus; 2) Large cell neuro-endocrine cancer (LCNEC); or 3) Sarcomatoid tumor. - Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis /interstitial lung disease that required steroids or has current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease that requires steroids. - Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy. - Has had an allogenic tissue/sold organ transplant. - Has a known severe hypersensitivity (≥ Grade 3) to pembrolizumab, its active substance and/or any of its excipients. - Has a known severe hypersensitivity (≥ Grade 3) to any of the study chemotherapy agents and/or to any of their excipients. - Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years. - Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. - Has a known history of Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. - Has a known history of active tuberculosis. - Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the participant to participate. - Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperating with the requirements of the trial. - Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent or with an agent directed to another co-inhibitory T-cell receptor. - Has received prior systemic anti-cancer therapy including investigational agents for the current malignancy prior to randomization/allocation. - Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of trial treatment. - Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of trial drug. - Is currently participating in or has participated in a trial of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment. - Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving either systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior the first dose of trial drug. - Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment within the past 5 years.

Study Design

Phase
Phase 3
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
NAC + Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Pembrolizumab
Neoadjuvant: Prior to surgery, participants receive up to 4 cycles (cycle length: 3 weeks) of pembrolizumab [200 mg, intravenous (IV); given on cycle day 1] in combination with platinum doublet neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), consisting of cisplatin [75 mg/m^2, IV; given on cycle day 1] and either Gemcitabine [1000 mg/m^2, IV; given on cycle days 1 and 8] or Pemetrexed [500 mg/m^2, IV; given on cycle day 1]. Adjuvant: 4-12 weeks following surgery, participants receive 13 cycles (cycle length: 3 weeks) of pembrolizumab [200 mg, IV; given on cycle day 1].
  • Biological: Pembrolizumab
    200 mg by IV infusion every 3 weeks (Q3W), given on cycle day 1.
    Other names:
    • KEYTRUDA®
    • MK-3475
  • Drug: Cisplatin
    75 mg/m^2 by IV infusion Q3W, given on cycle day 1.
    Other names:
    • PLATINOL®
  • Drug: Gemcitabine
    1000 mg/m^2 by IV infusion Q3W, given on cycle days 1 and 8. Given only to participants with squamous NSCLC.
    Other names:
    • GEMZAR®
  • Drug: Pemetrexed
    500 mg/m^2 by IV infusion Q3W, given on cycle day 1. Given only to participants with nonsquamous NSCLC.
    Other names:
    • Alimta®
Placebo Comparator
NAC + Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Placebo
Neoadjuvant: Prior to surgery, participants receive up to 4 cycles (cycle length: 3 weeks) of placebo [normal saline, IV; given on cycle day 1] in combination with platinum doublet NAC, consisting of cisplatin [75 mg/m^2, IV; given on cycle day 1] and either Gemcitabine [1000 mg/m^2, IV; given on cycle days 1 and 8] or Pemetrexed [500 mg/m^2, IV; given on cycle day 1]. Adjuvant: 4-12 weeks following surgery, participants receive 13 cycles (cycle length: 3 weeks) of placebo [normal saline, IV; given on cycle day 1].
  • Drug: Placebo
    Normal saline by IV infusion Q3W, given on cycle day 1.
  • Drug: Cisplatin
    75 mg/m^2 by IV infusion Q3W, given on cycle day 1.
    Other names:
    • PLATINOL®
  • Drug: Gemcitabine
    1000 mg/m^2 by IV infusion Q3W, given on cycle days 1 and 8. Given only to participants with squamous NSCLC.
    Other names:
    • GEMZAR®
  • Drug: Pemetrexed
    500 mg/m^2 by IV infusion Q3W, given on cycle day 1. Given only to participants with nonsquamous NSCLC.
    Other names:
    • Alimta®

More Details

Status
Active, not recruiting
Sponsor
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Study Contact