Endoscopic intratumoral injection of OBP-301 (telomelysin) with radiotherapy in esophageal cancer patients unfit for standard treatments.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 130-130
Author(s):  
Shunsuke Tanabe ◽  
Hiroshi Tazawa ◽  
Nobuhiko Kanaya ◽  
Kazuhiro Noma ◽  
Shunsuke Kagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Intratumoral Injection ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Dose Escalation Study

130 Background: OBP-301 (telomelysin) is an attenuated type-5 adenovirus with oncolytic potency that contains the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter to regulate viral replication. OBP-301 causes selective replication and lysis of a variety of cancer cells, and also inhibits the repair of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks, leading to radiosensitization. We aimed to assess intratumoral injection of OBP-301 with radiotherapy in esophageal cancer patients unfit for standard treatments. Methods: An open-label, phase I dose-escalation study of OBP-301 with radiotherapy was conducted in 13 histologically confirmed esophageal cancer patients who deemed unfit to receive surgery or chemotherapy. Study treatment consisted of intratumoral OBP-301 injections on days 1, 18, and 32 of treatment. Radiation therapy was administered concurrently over 6 weeks, beginning on day 4, to a total of 60 Gy. Virus administration was performed by intratumoral needle injection of the primary tumor through a flexible endoscope. The primary and secondary end points were incidence of dose-limiting toxicities and objective response rate. Results: Of 13 patients, seven, three, and three patients were treated in the cohorts with 1010, 1011, and 1012 virus particles of OBP-301, respectively. The patients comprised 10 males and 3 females, with median age of 79.7 years (range, 53 to 92 years). Common grade 1 and 2 toxicities included fever, esophagitis, pneumonitis, anorexia, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux. All patients developed a transient, self-limited lymphopenia. Eight patients had local complete response (CR); all of them exhibited pathologically no viable malignant cells in biopsy specimens, and three had partial response. The objective response rate was 84.6%. The clinical CR rate was 80.0% in stage I and 66.7% in stage II/III, respectively. Histopathologic examination in post-treatment specimens showed massive infiltration of CD8+ cells in three partially responded tumors. Conclusions: Multiple courses of endoscopic OBP-301 injection with radiotherapy were feasible and provided definite clinical benefits in patients with esophageal cancer. Clinical trial information: 000010158.

A phase I trial evaluating NBTXR3 activated by radiotherapy in combination with nivolumab or pembrolizumab in patients with advanced cancers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2590-2590
Author(s):  
Colette Shen ◽  
Jessica M. Frakes ◽  
Jiaxin Niu ◽  
Ari Rosenberg ◽  
Jared Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Phase I Trial ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Intratumoral Injection ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Open Label

2590 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1 are an effective treatment for a variety of cancers. However, the majority of patients (pts) exhibit resistance to ICIs. Overcoming this resistance represents a major challenge in immuno-oncology. Emerging evidence suggests radiation therapy (RT) produces an immunomodulatory effect that may act synergistically with ICIs. However, RT dose and ultimate efficacy are limited by toxicity to surrounding healthy tissues. NBTXR3, a novel radioenhancer administered by direct intratumoral injection (ITI), is designed at the nanoscale to increase RT dose deposit within tumor cells and subsequent tumor cell killing, without increasing toxicity to surrounding healthy tissue. Preclinical data suggest NBTXR3/RT can trigger a local and systemic anti-tumor immune response and overcome anti-PD-1 resistance. NBTXR3/RT combined with anti-PD-1 may prime the immune system to increase the proportion of ICI responders, or convert ICI non-responders to responders. Methods: This is a multicenter, open-label, phase I trial [NCT03589339] to evaluate NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 in 3 cohorts: (1) Locoregional recurrent or recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) amenable to HN re-irradiation, and metastases from any primary cancer eligible for anti-PD-1 (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) treatment specifically localized in the lung (2) or liver (3), respectively. Stereotactic body RT (SBRT) is delivered at tumor-site selective doses per standard practice. The primary objective is NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 recommended phase 2 dose in each cohort. Secondary objectives are anti-tumor response (objective response rate), safety and feasibility of NBTXR3 injection. Results: Nine pts have been treated: 3 HNSCC, 4 lung, 2 liver. 7/9 pts were anti-PD-1 non-responders. Overall tumor regression was observed in 8/9 pts. NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 resulted in tumor regression in 6/7 pts who had progressed on prior anti-PD-1. A complete response in the injected lymph node lasting over 1 year was observed in 1 anti-PD-1 naïve pt. 2 SAEs related to anti-PD-1 and possibly related to NBTXR3 (G5 pneumonitis, G4 hyperglycemia) were observed in 1 anti-PD-1 naïve HNSCC pt and considered DLTs. This pt also experienced 2 other SAEs related to anti-PD-1 (G4 diabetic ketoacidosis, G4 acute kidney injury). SBRT-related safety profile was as expected. Updated results will be presented. Conclusions: Data from this first-in-human phase I trial evaluating NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 in pts with advanced cancers, show NBTXR3 ITI is feasible and well-tolerated. NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 demonstrated promising signs of efficacy. Of particular interest, NBTXR3/RT can overcome ICI resistance in pts having progressed on prior anti-PD-1, supporting further development of NBTXR3 in combination with anti-PD-1 as well as other ICIs. Clinical trial information: NCT03589339.

scholarly journals Pyrotinib in HER2-Mutant Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma After Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (24) ◽  
pp. 2753-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caicun Zhou ◽  
Xingya Li ◽  
Qiming Wang ◽  
Guanghui Gao ◽  
Yiping Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Phase Ii Study ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Platinum Based Chemotherapy ◽  
Grade 3

PURPOSE Targeted therapies against non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring HER2 mutations remain an unmet need. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of pyrotinib in patients with HER2-mutant advanced NSCLC in a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II study. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage IIIB or IV HER2-mutant lung adenocarcinoma who were previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled to receive pyrotinib at a dose of 400 mg/d for 21-day cycles. The primary end point was objective response rate per independent review committee (IRC). RESULTS Between October 20, 2016, and December 10, 2018, 60 patients received pyrotinib monotherapy. At baseline, 58 (96.7%) were stage IV, and 25 (41.7%) received at least 2 lines of prior chemotherapy. As of data cutoff on June 20, 2019, IRC-assessed objective response rate was 30.0% (95% CI, 18.8% to 43.2%). All subgroups of patients with different HER2 mutation types showed a favorable objective response rate. The objective response rates were similar between patients with and without brain metastases (25.0% v 31.3%). The median duration of response was 6.9 months (95% CI, 4.9 to 11.1 months). The median progression-free survival was 6.9 months (95% CI, 5.5 to 8.3 months) per IRC. The median overall survival was 14.4 months (95% CI, 12.3 to 21.3 months). Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 28.3% of patients, with the most common being diarrhea (20.0%; all grade 3). No treatment-related deaths were reported. CONCLUSION Pyrotinib showed promising antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile in chemotherapy-treated patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC.

Phase II Results of Bendamustine in Combination with Rituximab in Relapsed Indolent and Mantle-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 2710-2710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Van der Jagt ◽  
Philip Cohen ◽  
Bruce D. Cheson ◽  
Anil Tulpule ◽  
Jordan A. Herst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Ii ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Prior Chemotherapy ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Mantle Cell ◽  
Grade 3

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bendamustine HCl (TREANDA®) in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Background: Bendamustine is a novel hybrid, alkylating agent with single-agent activity in multiple hematologic and solid tumors. It induces cell death via both apoptosis and the apoptosis-independent pathway of mitotic catastrophe. The combination of bendamustine and rituximab has been shown to exhibit a synergistic antitumor effect on NHL cells. Methods: This Phase II, multicenter study enrolled adult patients with relapsed, indolent B-cell or mantle-cell NHL who were not refractory to rituximab (defined as progression ≤6 months of last rituximab dose). Patients received rituximab 375 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) on day 1 and bendamustine 90 mg/m2 IV on days 2 and 3 of a 28-day cycle for 4 to 6 cycles. An additional dose of rituximab 375 mg/m2 IV was given 1 week before the first cycle of bendamustine and 4 weeks after the last cycle. Results: The intent-to-treat (ITT) population included 66 patients (59% men) with a median age of 60 years (range, 40–84). Indolent histologic phenotype was seen in 54 patients with the following histologic subtypes: follicular center cell (61%), small lymphocytic (15%), lymphoplasmacytic (3%), and marginal zone (3%); 18% had mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL). A total of 85% of patients had stage III/IV disease. These patients relapsed from a median of 1 prior chemotherapy (range: 0–5), with 56% having had prior treatment with rituximab. Patients with no prior chemotherapy relapsed following biologic therapy. In the ITT population, the overall objective response rate (ORR) was 94% (complete response [CR]/complete response unconfirmed [CRu], 41%; partial response [PR], 53%); 6% had stable disease. The ORR for the 12 MCL patients was 92% (CR/CRu, 42%; PR 50%). For all patients, the median duration of response and progression-free survival has not been reached after a median follow-up of 8.3 months (range, 0.14–31 months). Grade 3/4 neutropenia was seen in 41% of patients (7%, febrile neutropenia). Common nonhematologic toxicities (grade 1/2, grade 3, grade 4) were nausea (68%, 0%, 0%) and fatigue (53%, 5%, 0%); one patient had grade 3 sepsis. No alopecia was observed. Conclusions: Bendamustine administered in combination with rituximab produced a high objective response rate and was generally well tolerated in patients with relapsed indolent and mantle-cell NHL who were not refractory to rituximab. These results suggest that the combination of bendamustine and rituximab may be comparable in activity to R-CHOP, and further studies of this combination are warranted.

Phase I study of NBTXR3 activated by radiotherapy in patients with advanced cancers treated with an anti-PD-1 therapy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS3173-TPS3173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colette Shen ◽  
Jessica Frakes ◽  
Jared Weiss ◽  
Jimmy J. Caudell ◽  
Trevor G Hackman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Phase I Study ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Lung Metastases ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Intratumoral Injection ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Open Label Phase

TPS3173 Background: Despite the past decade of transformative advances in immuno-oncology, the response rate to checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains low (~15%). There is significant interest in developing strategies to overcome resistance to these treatments, thus increasing response rate. Emerging evidence suggests that radiation therapy (RT) could potentially augment the antitumor response to ICIs through synergic effect. However, RT dose and ultimate efficacy are limited by toxicity related to exposure of healthy tissues. NBTXR3 is a first-in-class radioenhancer administered by direct intratumoral injection, designed at the nanoscale to increase RT dose deposition within tumor cells and RT-dependent tumor cell killing, without increasing surrounding normal tissue toxicity. Preclinical and early clinical data suggest NBTXR3 activated by RT can trigger an anti-tumor immune response, producing both local and systemic (abscopal) effects. We hypothesize that NBTXR3 activated by RT, in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy (R3/RT/PD-1), will act synergistically to maximize the local RT effect and produce a systemic response sufficient to increase the proportion of ICI responders or convert ICI non-responders to responders. Methods: This trial [NCT03589339] is a multicenter, open-label, phase I study to evaluate safety and tolerability of R3/RT/PD-1 in three cohorts: (1) Locoregional recurrent or recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) amenable to re-irradiation of the HN field, (2) Lung metastases, or (3) Liver metastases, both from any primary cancer eligible for anti-PD-1 treatment. Approximately two-thirds of patients in each cohort will be anti-PD-1 non-responders. NBTXR3 injected volume is based on a percentage of gross tumor volume (GTV). The primary objective is to determine the R3/RT/PD-1 recommended phase 2 dose in each cohort. Secondary objectives are to evaluate anti-tumor response (objective response rate; ORR), safety and feasibility of NBTXR3 injection, and NBTXR3 body kinetic profile. Exploratory objectives will assess biomarkers of R3/RT/PD-1 response, including PD-L1 status by IHC, as well as mRNA and cytokine immune marker profiling. To date, three patients have been treated, one in cohort 1, two in cohort 2. Clinical trial information: NCT03589339 .

Envafolimab (KN035) in advanced tumors with mismatch-repair deficiency.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3021-3021
Author(s):  
Lin Shen ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Yanhong Deng ◽  
Weijie Zhang ◽  
Aiping Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Mismatch Repair ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Interim Analysis ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Prior Therapy ◽  
Previously Treated

3021 Background: KN035 is a novel fusion protein of humanized anti-PD-L1 single domain antibody and human IgG1 Fc formulated for subcutaneous injection. This open-label phase II study evaluated the safety and antitumor activity of KN035 in patients with advanced microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) cancer. Methods: The study included patients aged ≥18 years with previously treated MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) or other advanced solid tumors. MSI-H/dMMR status was assessed centrally for CRC and gastric cancer (GC) and locally for other tumors. KN035 was administered at 150 mg once weekly until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Tumor assessments were every 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate per RECIST v1.1 by independent radiology review. The primary efficacy population (PEP) included patients with CRC who failed fluoropyrimidine (F), oxaliplatin (O), and irinotecan (I) plus those with advanced GC who had failed at least one prior systemic treatment. This was a planned interim analysis performed after the first 50 patients in the PEP had at least two on-study tumor assessments (PEPi). Results: As of December 17, 2019, 103 patients with MSI-H/dMMR advanced cancers were enrolled at 25 centers in China. The PEPi included 39 patients with CRC and 11 with GC, with a median follow-up of 7.5 months. The overall population included 65 patients with CRC (24 had prior therapy with F and O or I), 18 with GC, and 20 with other tumors, with a median follow-up of 6.7 months. The confirmed objective response rate was 30% (95% CI: 17.9%, 44.6%) in the PEPi, 54.2% (95% CI: 32.8%, 74.4%) in the CRC patients who had prior therapy with F and O or I, and 34.0% (95% CI: 24.9%, 44.0%) in the overall population. Of patients who had an objective response at the interim analysis, 80% of those in the PEPi, 84.6% of CRC patients who had prior therapy with F and O or I, and 85.7% of those in the overall population were still responding at the time of data cutoff. Median progression-free survival was 6.6 months in both the PEPi and the overall population. Median overall survival was not reached in either population. Fourteen (13.6%) patients had grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events. No grade 5 treatment-related adverse events, pneumonitis, or colitis were reported. Local injection-site reactions, all grade 1 or 2, were reported in nine patients. Conclusions: Envafolimab demonstrated durable anti-tumor activity with a manageable safety profile in patients with previously treated advanced MSI-H/dMMR cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT03667170 .

Safety and efficacy of chidamide in combination with decitabine plus anti-PD-1 camrelizumab after relapse or progression on decitabine-plus-camrelizumab in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19515-e19515
Author(s):  
Chunmeng Wang ◽  
Jing Nie ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Qingming Yang ◽  
Weidong Han
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Primary Resistance ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Treatment Regimens

e19515 Background: The anti-PD-1 combination therapy significantly improves clinical outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), and up to 71% of patients who receive decitabine-plus-anti-PD-1 camrelizumab could achieve a complete response. However, a subset of patients is recalcitrant to decitabine-plus-camrelizumab and half of patients might experience disease progression within three years. Effective treatment regimens for those with relapsed or progressive cHL who failed decitabine-plus-camrelizumab are needed. This Phase II study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination of decitabine-plus-camrelizumab and chidamide, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in decitabine-plus-camrelizumab resistant cHL patients. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory cHL who had primary resistance or progressed/relapsed on decitabine-plus-camrelizumab were enrolled and administrated with chidamide at 10 mg (days 1 to 4) and 20 mg (days 8, 11,15 and 18); plus decitabine at 10 mg (days 1 to 5); and camrelizumab at 200 mg (day 6), every 3 weeks. Safety was assessed by CTCAEv5.0, and antitumor response by PET-CT according to the revised Lugano classification. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Recruitment is ongoing. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov number, NCT04233294. Results: Between January 19, 2020, and January 31, 2021, nineteen patients with relapsed/refractory cHL after relapse or progression on decitabine-plus-camrelizumab were enrolled. A median of 20 cycles of prior decitabine-plus-camrelizumab was given (range, 4-28). Fourteen patients completed response evaluation with a median follow-up of 5.7 months. All eligible patients received this triplet-agent regimen with a median of 8 cycles (range, 3 to 12). Thirteen of the fourteen evaluated patients (93%) had an objective response, including six acquiring a complete remission (43%) and seven reaching a partial response (50%). The most common adverse events were leukocytopenia (58%; grade 3: 16%), nausea (53%) and hypertriglyceridemia (26%). No immune-related adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The preliminary result shows a high objective response rate with the combination of chidamide, decitabine and camrelizumab in patients with resistance to decitabine-plus-camrelizumab therapy. The addition of chidamide to decitabine-plus-camrelizumab has an acceptable safety profile, and does not trigger immune-related adverse events. Clinical trial information: NCT04233294.

ENVASARC: A pivotal trial of envafolimab, and envafolimab in combination with ipilimumab, in patients with advanced or metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma or myxofibrosarcoma who have progressed on prior chemotherapy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS11581-TPS11581
Author(s):  
Sandra P. D'Angelo ◽  
Steven Ian Robinson ◽  
Joelle Lam ◽  
Bonne J. Adams ◽  
James L. Freddo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma ◽  
Pleomorphic Sarcoma

TPS11581 Background: Metastatic undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS) and the genetically related myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) are soft tissue sarcoma (STS) subtypes with poor prognoses. While responses to front line chemotherapy can approach 20%, efficacy remains limited in the 2nd line setting and beyond. Pazopanib, the only approved treatment in the refractory setting, has demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 4%. Envafolimab is a single domain PD-L1 antibody administered rapidly by subcutaneous (SQ) injection that is being studied in two additional pivotal trials: microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancer and biliary tract cancer. The activity of envafolimab appears to be similar to other PD-1 antibodies administered i.v. Envafolimab demonstrated a 32% objective response rate (ORR) in MSI-H colorectal cancer patients who failed three approved chemotherapeutics, similar to the ORR of 28% and 33% with nivolumab and pembrolizumab in these patient populations, respectively. The rationale for the ENVASARC trial is based on the previously reported activity of checkpoint inhibition in UPS/MFS. Single agent pembrolizumab demonstrated a 23% ORR, while the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab demonstrated a 29% ORR in refractory UPS/MFS. Methods: ENVASARC (NCT 04480502) is a pivotal multicenter (at ̃25 U.S. centers) open-label, randomized, non-comparative, parallel cohort study of treatment with envafolimab 300 mg every 3 weeks by SQ injection (cohort A; n = 80) or envafolimab 300 mg every 3 weeks by SQ injection combined with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks i.v. for four doses (cohort B; n = 80) in patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic UPS/MFS who have progressed on one or two lines of prior therapy. The primary objective of each of parallel cohort is to demonstrate an ORR with a lower limit of the 95% confidence interval that excludes 5.0% in each cohort. If ≥ 9 responders are observed of the 80 patients enrolled in each cohort, then the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval will exclude 5.0%. Secondary endpoints include duration of response (DOR), PFS and OS. Key inclusion criteria: ≤ 2 prior lines of therapy (neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy excluded), ECOG ≤ 1. Clinical trial information: NCT 04480502.

scholarly journals Randomized, Open-Label Phase II Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Talimogene Laherparepvec in Combination With Ipilimumab Versus Ipilimumab Alone in Patients With Advanced, Unresectable Melanoma

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (17) ◽  
pp. 1658-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Chesney ◽  
Igor Puzanov ◽  
Frances Collichio ◽  
Parminder Singh ◽  
Mohammed M. Milhem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Ii ◽  
Objective Response Rate ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Phase Ii Study ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Talimogene Laherparepvec ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Prior Therapy ◽  
End Point ◽  
Open Label Phase

Purpose We evaluated the combination of talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab versus ipilimumab alone in patients with advanced melanoma in a phase II study. To our knowledge, this was the first randomized trial to evaluate addition of an oncolytic virus to a checkpoint inhibitor. Methods Patients with unresectable stages IIIB to IV melanoma, with no more than one prior therapy if BRAF wild-type, no more than two prior therapies if BRAF mutant, measurable/injectable disease, and without symptomatic autoimmunity or clinically significant immunosuppression were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab or ipilimumab alone. Talimogene laherparepvec treatment began in week 1 (first dose, ≤ 4 mL × 106 plaque-forming units/mL; after 3 weeks, ≤ 4 mL × 108 plaque-forming units/mL every 2 weeks). Ipilimumab (3 mg/kg every 3 weeks; up to four doses) began week 1 in the ipilimumab alone arm and week 6 in the combination arm. The primary end point was objective response rate evaluated by investigators per immune-related response criteria. Results One hundred ninety-eight patients were randomly assigned to talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab (n = 98), or ipilimumab alone (n = 100). Thirty-eight patients (39%) in the combination arm and 18 patients (18%) in the ipilimumab arm had an objective response (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5 to 5.5; P = .002). Responses were not limited to injected lesions; visceral lesion decreases were observed in 52% of patients in the combination arm and 23% of patients in the ipilimumab arm. Frequently occurring adverse events (AEs) included fatigue (combination, 59%; ipilimumab alone, 42%), chills (combination, 53%; ipilimumab alone, 3%), and diarrhea (combination, 42%; ipilimumab alone, 35%). Incidence of grade ≥ 3 AEs was 45% and 35%, respectively. Three patients in the combination arm had fatal AEs; none were treatment related. Conclusion The study met its primary end point; the objective response rate was significantly higher with talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab versus ipilimumab alone. These data indicate that the combination has greater antitumor activity without additional safety concerns versus ipilimumab.

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