Nivolumab and sunitinib combination in advanced soft tissue sarcomas: a multicenter, single-arm, phase Ib/II trial.

TitleNivolumab and sunitinib combination in advanced soft tissue sarcomas: a multicenter, single-arm, phase Ib/II trial.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsMartin-Broto, J, Hindi, N, Grignani, G, Martinez-Trufero, J, Redondo, A, Valverde, C, Stacchiotti, S, Lopez-Pousa, A, D'Ambrosio, L, Gutierrez, A, Perez-Vega, H, Encinas-Tobajas, V, de Alava, E, Collini, P, Peña-Chilet, M, Dopazo, J, Carrasco-Garcia, I, Lopez-Alvarez, M, Moura, DS, Lopez-Martin, JA
JournalJ Immunother Cancer
Volume8
Issue2
Date Published2020 11
ISSN2051-1426
KeywordsAdult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nivolumab; Sarcoma; Sunitinib; Young Adult
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas exhibit low expression of factors related to immune response, which could explain the modest activity of PD-1 inhibitors. A potential strategy to convert a cold into an inflamed microenvironment lies on a combination therapy. As tumor angiogenesis promotes immunosuppression, we designed a phase Ib/II trial to test the double inhibition of angiogenesis (sunitinib) and PD-1/PD-L1 axis (nivolumab).METHODS: This single-arm, phase Ib/II trial enrolled adult patients with selected subtypes of sarcoma. Phase Ib established two dose levels: level 0 with sunitinib 37.5 mg daily from day 1, plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously on day 15, and then every 2 weeks; and level -1 with sunitinib 37.5 mg on the first 14 days (induction) and then 25 mg per day plus nivolumab on the same schedule. The primary endpoint was to determine the recommended dose for phase II (phase I) and the 6-month progression-free survival rate, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (phase II).RESULTS: From May 2017 to April 2019, 68 patients were enrolled: 16 in phase Ib and 52 in phase II. The recommended dose of sunitinib for phase II was 37.5 mg as induction and then 25 mg in combination with nivolumab. After a median follow-up of 17 months (4-26), the 6-month progression-free survival rate was 48% (95% CI 41% to 55%). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events included transaminitis (17.3%) and neutropenia (11.5%).CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib plus nivolumab is an active scheme with manageable toxicity in the treatment of selected patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, with almost half of patients free of progression at 6 months. NCT03277924.

DOI10.1136/jitc-2020-001561
Alternate JournalJ Immunother Cancer
PubMed ID33203665
PubMed Central IDPMC7674086