The purpose of this study is to investigate how effective and how safe the combination of radiation therapy and an investigational medication targeting the immune system known as Ipilimumab in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The investigators would like to see if this combination of radiation and Ipilimumab can stimulate the body's immune system to stop the growth of tumors that are outside the field of radiation. The investigators would like see if using this combination of radiation therapy with Ipilimumab could help the body reject the patient's own tumor or at least help their immune system to maintain the disease stable and/or slow its growth. Radiation therapy (RT) is currently a standard procedure for treatment of NSCLC. Ipilimumab is considered an investigational medication because it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of NSCLC. Ipilimumab has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
Research Hypothesis: 1. Through a combination of local RT and ipilimumab an anti-tumor immune response is elicited at the irradiated site, as an in vivo, individualized immunization that is systemically effective, as reflected by objective responses outside the RT field (abscopal effect). 2. The immune response can be prospectively monitored among the treated patients. Objective 1: Evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein -4 mono clonal Antibody (anti-CTLA-4 mAb) and concurrent local RT in NSCLC patients with metastatic disease. An open label phase II trial will evaluate the preliminary efficacy of the combination of Ipi and RT, applied to a single metastatic site. Efficacy is measured with respect to systemic tumor responses (abscopal response, outside the field of therapy) defined by immune-related Response Criteria (irRC) in all non-irradiated measurable lesions, as a demonstration of an effective anti-tumor immune response. Secondary endpoints include local response in the RT treated tumor, progression free survival, and overall survival. Objective 2: Determine the effects of RT and anti-CTLA-4 mAb on development of anti-tumor immunity. The investigators hypothesize that RT will convert the irradiated tumor into an in situ vaccine and elicit an endogenous tumor-specific cellular and humoral immune response, which in the presence of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blockade will promote immune-mediated destruction of the irradiated and abscopal metastases. Pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies will be examined for changes in immune contexture, and blood for evidence of emerging anti-tumor immune responses. Associations with clinical response will be explored.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
39
NYU Clinical Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States
NYU Langone Medical Center, Tisch Hospital
New York, New York, United States
Therapeutic Efficacy of Anti-CTLA-4 mAb and Concurrent Local RT in NSCLC Patients With Metastatic Disease.
Tumor Response will be evaluated using the irRC best response (Partial Response (PR) + Complete Response (CR)). Modified WHO criteria will be used for measurement of tumors. The irradiated lesion will be excluded from the assessment of response.
Time frame: 3 weeks - 6 months post treatment
Number pf Patients With Objective Radioactive Responses to Measure the Effects of RT and Anti-CTLA-4 mAb on Development of Anti-tumor Immunity Measured by T Cell Clone Frequency
The study uses a comprehensive approach to analyze immunological changes that reflect both local and systemic responses, and investigate both general immune activation as well as tumor antigen-specific T- and B-cell responses. The activity of anti-CTLA-1 mAb is thought to be mainly dependent on modulating the quantity and quality of T-cells in cancer patients. A highly extensive analysis of the Cluster of differentiation 4 + (CD4+) and cluster of differentiation 8 + (CD8+) T-cell subsets will be characterized by multi-color flow Cytometry. To facilitate these analyses, serial blood samples will be collected for serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at different time points, where, a part of these samples will be used for DNA/RNA extraction. Optional tissue biopsies will be obtained from consenting patients.Tumor tissue will be tested for expression of seven antigens frequently expressed in NSCLC.
Time frame: 3 weeks - 6 months post-treatment
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.