Pembrolizumab and platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer: Phase 1 cohorts from the KEYNOTE-021 study

Shirish M. Gadgeel, James P. Stevenson, Corey J. Langer, Leena Gandhi, Hossein Borghaei, Amita Patnaik, Liza C. Villaruz, Matthew Gubens, Ralph Hauke, James Chih Hsin Yang, Lecia V. Sequist, Robert Bachman, Sanatan Saraf, Harry Raftopoulos, Vassiliki Papadimitrakopoulou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: Platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has modest benefit overall, but has the potential to amplify immune responses. In cohorts A-C of the multicohort phase 1/2 study KEYNOTE-021 (Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02039674), we evaluated combinations of platinum-doublet chemotherapy with the anti–programmed death 1 monocloncal antibody pembrolizumab. Materials and methods: Patients with previously untreated, advanced NSCLC without EGFR/ALK aberrations were randomized to pembrolizumab 2 or 10 mg/kg Q3W plus carboplatin area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) 6 mg/mL/min plus paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 (cohort A, any histology), carboplatin AUC 6 mg/mL/min plus paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg (cohort B, non-squamous), or carboplatin AUC 5 mg/mL/min plus pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 (cohort C, non-squamous) for 4 cycles followed by maintenance pembrolizumab (cohort A), pembrolizumab plus bevacizumab (cohort B), or pembrolizumab plus pemetrexed (cohort C). Response was assessed by blinded independent central review. Results: Overall, 74 patients were randomized; median follow-up was 21.4, 16.4, and 17.4 months in cohorts A, B, and C, respectively. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred in any cohort at either pembrolizumab dose. Most frequent treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were alopecia, fatigue, and nausea. Treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs occurred in 40%, 42%, and 46% of patients in cohorts A, B, and C, respectively; AEs with possible immune etiology occurred in 24%, 50%, and 38% of patients, respectively. Objective response rates were 48%, 56%, and 75% in cohorts A, B, and C, respectively. Conclusion: Pembrolizumab in combination with carboplatin-paclitaxel and with pemetrexed-carboplatin yielded encouraging antitumor activity and toxicity consistent with known toxicities of platinum-based chemotherapy or pembrolizumab monotherapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)273-281
Number of pages9
JournalLung Cancer
Volume125
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2018

Keywords

  • Antineoplastic agents
  • Bevacizumab
  • Carcinoma
  • Combination
  • Drug therapy
  • Non–small-cell lung
  • Pembrolizumab

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cancer Research

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