A Study to Evaluate Biomarker/ALK Inhibitor Combinations in Treating Patients With Stage IV ALK Positive Non-squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (The NCI-NRG ALK Protocol)

Overview

About this study

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a combination of biomarker/ALK inhibitors or chemotherapy may work better in treating patients with ALK positive non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.  This National Cancer Institute (NCI)-NRG ALK Protocol phase II trial studies how well a combination of different biomarker/ALK inhibitors work in treating patients with stage IV ALK positive non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Lorlatinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, ensartinib, and crizotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as pemetrexed, cisplatin, and carboplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria: 

PRIOR TO STEP 1 REGISTRATION

  • Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV ALK-positive non-squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) (includes M1a, M1b, M1c stage disease, American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] 8th edition). ALK rearrangement must have been demonstrated by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved assay (Vysis fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] or Ventana immunohistochemistry [IHC]) or by next generation sequencing (NGS).
  • Patient must be willing and able to undergo a fresh biopsy or if patient has a biopsy after progression on current tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) (and has continued TKI for clinical benefit per treating physician) this tissue may be used. Must have sufficient tissue.
  • Patient must have progressive disease as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 after a second generation ALK inhibitor, including LDK378 (ceritinib), alectinib, ensartinib, and brigatinib or third generation ALK inhibitor referring to lorlatinib. The next generation ALK inhibitor must be the last ALK inhibitor given (prior crizotinib is allowed).
  • Patients who have received a cycle of chemotherapy at the time of original diagnosis of metastatic NSCLC are eligible as long as they have received a next generation ALK inhibitor.
  • The patient or a legally authorized representative must provide study-specific informed consent prior to Step 1 Registration.

PRIOR TO STEP 2 REGISTRATION

  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1500 cells/mm^3 (within 28 days prior to step 2 registration).
  • Platelets ≥ 100,000 cells/mm^3 (within 28 days prior to step 2 registration).
  • Estimated creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min by the Cockcroft Gault formula (within 28 days prior to step 2 registration).
  • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (except for patients with documented Gilbert's syndrome) (within 28 days prior to step 2 registration).
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 x ULN; ≤ 5 x ULN if liver metastases are present (within 28 days prior to step 2 registration).
  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN; ≤ 5 x ULN if liver metastases are present (within 28 days prior to step 2 registration).
  • Patients with asymptomatic treated or untreated brain metastases are eligible. Treated brain metastases are eligible as long as patients have measurable disease outside the brain according to RECIST 1.1. Patients must be on a stable or decreasing dose of steroids for at least 7 days prior to step 2 registration. Anticonvulsants are allowed as long as the patient is neurologically stable and not deteriorating.
  • Patients enrolled with asymptomatic brain metastases (mets) must have at least one measurable target extracranial lesion according to RECIST 1.1.
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.
  • Acute effects of any prior therapy resolved to baseline severity or to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade ≤ 1 (except for alopecia, hearing loss).
  • Not taking any medications that may interact with selected study medication based on stratification.
  • Patients must be able to take oral medications (i.e., swallow whole tablets/capsules).
  • All females of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 14 days prior to Step 2 Registration to rule out pregnancy. A female of childbearing potential is any woman, regardless of sexual orientation or whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: 
  • Has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 
  • Has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months).
  • Women must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to potential harm to the fetus or infant from ALK inhibitors and the unknown risk. Women of childbearing potential and sexually active males must agree to use an accepted and effective method of contraception or to abstain from sexual intercourse for the duration of their participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Major surgery within 2 weeks of study entry. Minor surgical procedures (e.g., port insertion, pleurex catheter placement) are allowed and all wounds must not show signs of infection or draining.
  • Radiation therapy (except palliative radiation therapy [RT] to relieve bone pain) within 2 weeks of study entry. Palliative RT (< 10 fractions) must have been completed at least 48 hours prior to study entry. Stereotactic or small field brain irradiation must have completed at least 1 week prior to study entry. Whole brain RT must have completed at least 2 weeks prior to study entry.
  • Prior dose of next generation ALK inhibitor (LDK378 [ceritinib], alectinib, ensartinib, lorlatinib) within 5 days prior to step 2 registration. Prior dose of brigatinib within 7 days prior to step 2 registration.
  • History of interstitial lung disease or interstitial fibrosis, including a history of pneumonitis, obliterative bronchiolitis, pulmonary fibrosis. Patients with a history of prior radiation pneumonitis are not excluded.
  • Active inflammatory gastrointestinal disease (such as Crohns, ulcerative colitis), chronic diarrhea, symptomatic diverticular disease, or any gastrointestinal disease that would affect the absorption of oral medications or increase the risk of toxicity.
  • Clinically significant cardiovascular abnormalities, as determined by the treating/registering physician, such as uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification of 3, unstable angina or poorly controlled arrhythmia, or myocardial infarction within 6 months.
  • Active and clinically significant bacterial, fungal, or viral infection.
  • Patients with active or chronic pancreatitis based on lipase elevation, symptoms, and radiographic findings.
  • Other concomitant serious illness or organ system dysfunction that in the opinion of the investigator would either compromise patient safety or interfere with the evaluation of the safety of the study drug.
  • Patients must not plan to receive any other investigational agents during the course of therapy.
  • Patients with active malignancy other than ALK-positive non-squamous NSCLC within the last 2 years are excluded (note: adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, papillary thyroid cancer treated with curative intent, adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in complete remission, or any other cancer from which the patient has been disease free for 2 years are eligible).
  • No chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy allowed after step 1 registration.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Konstantinos Leventakos, M.D., Ph.D.

Closed for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

(855) 776-0015

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

Additional contact information

Cancer-related trials contact form

Phone: 855-776-0015 (toll-free)

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