Research Hypothesis Approximately 75% of patients with bladder cancer (BC) present with a disease confined to the mucosa (stage Ta, CIS) or submucosa (stage T1) (non-muscle invasive BC \[NMIBC\]). For high grade NMIBC, i.e. TaG3, T1G3 and CIS, intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is the treatment of choice, given that it prevents recurrence and reduces the odds of progression to MIBC. However, since initial BCG therapy fails in approximately 40% of patients over a 2-year period, new treatment options for these patients are of utmost importance. In that field of research durvalumab, a human monoclonal antibody that binds programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), demonstrated meaningful clinical activity as well as manageable safety profile in PD-L1-positive patients with BC, many of whom were heavily pretreated. Certain studies using systemic administration of anti-PD1 agents for BCG refractory NMIBC are ongoing. Nevertheless, intravesical administration may be advantageous, since selective bladder tumor uptake of monoclonal antibodies following intravesical administration, while this method results in negligible absorption in the circulation and, therefore, minimal risk of systemic toxicity. This notion is supported by the findings of a recent study of intravesical administration of recombinant adenovirus-mediated interferon-α2b gene therapy (rAd-IFNα), No rAd-IFNα DNA was detected in the blood. Furthermore, no systemic toxicity was reported in a phase II study using the same agent. The investigators, therefore, propose a phase II study of intravesical administration of durvalumab in patients with BCG refractory NMIBC. Since no safety or efficacy data specifically on intravesical administration of durvalumab exist, a run-in part will precede the main phase II, in order to confirm safety of the procedure and to reject a futility hypothesis, as described in the following sections of the protocol. Correlative studies of potential biomarkers in tumor tissue before and after durvalumab instillation are also proposed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
39
Durvalumab is a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) 1 kappa subclass
Hellenic GenitoUrinary Cancer Group
Athens, Attica, Greece
The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Durvalumab among 500mg, 750mg and 1000mg that will be given intravesically to patients with BCG-refractory NMIBC
Time frame: 6 months after trial initiation
The possibility of a rate of high-grade relapse free (HGFR) that it is defined as the development of TaG3, T1G3, CIS or muscle-invasive disease after the initiation of durvalumab therapy.
Time frame: 6 months after trial initiation
Efficacy of intravesical administration of Durvalumab at MTD in patients with BCG-refractory NMIBC assessed by 1-year high-grade-relapse-free (HGRF)-rate
Time frame: 1 year after patient enrollment
Toxicity of the MTD of intravesical Durvalumab administration assessed according to the NCI CTC version 4.03 except from local irritation.
Local irritation will be assessed according to the following criteria: Grade 1: Microscopic hematuria Grade 2: Moderate frequency. Intermittent macroscopic hematuria. Grade 3: Severe frequency and dysuria. Frequent hematuria. Reduction in bladder capacity (\<150 cc) Grade 4: Necrosis/ Contracted bladder (capacity \<100 cc). Severe hemorrhagic cystitis
Time frame: 6 months after trial initiation
Efficacy assessed by the high-grade progression-free rate at 30 days after the last durvalumab instillation and 6 months following durvalumab therapy.
Time frame: 30 days and 6 month after last durvalumab instillation
PD-L1 and VEGF expression assessed in tumor tissue obtained before and after durvalumab instillation
Immunohistochemistry will be used for the evaluation of PD-L1 and VEGF expression levels
Time frame: 33 months after FPFV
Assessment of PD-L1 and VEGF protein levels in urine samples obtained before and after durvalumab instillation
Time frame: 33 months after FPFV
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