This phase II trial studies the best dose and effect of tocilizumab in combination with atezolizumab and stereotactic radiation therapy in treating glioblastoma patients whose tumor has come back after initial treatment (recurrent). Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to receptors for a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is made by white blood cells and other cells in the body as well as certain types of cancer. This may help lower the body's immune response and reduce inflammation. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy uses special equipment to precisely deliver multiple, smaller doses of radiation spread over several treatment sessions to the tumor. The goal of this study is to change a tumor that is unresponsive to cancer therapy into a more responsive one. Therapy with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in combination with tocilizumab may suppress the inhibitory effect of immune cells surrounding the tumor and consequently allow an immunotherapy treatment by atezolizumab to activate the immune response against the tumor. Combination therapy with tocilizumab, atezolizumab and fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy may shrink or stabilize the cancer better than radiation therapy alone in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) among three sequential dose levels: single-agent tocilizumab 4 mg/kg, single-agent tocilizumab 8 mg/kg, and tocilizumab 8 mg/kg + atezolizumab 1680 mg (each administered with fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy \[FSRT\]), to be used for subsequent phase II testing. (Safety Run-In) II. To determine the efficacy of the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R), atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1), and FSRT in recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), as measured by the objective radiographic response rate (ORR). (Phase II \[Non-Surgical Cohort\]) SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate the progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with recurrent GBM treated with the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R) and FSRT (and atezolizumab \[anti-PD-L1\], if dose level 3 is MTD). (Phase II Non-Surgical Cohort and Safety Run-in Cohort) II. To estimate the overall survival (OS) in patients with recurrent GBM treated with the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R) and FSRT (and atezolizumab \[anti-PD-L1\], if dose level 3 is MTD)), atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1), and FSRT. (Phase II Non-Surgical Cohort and Safety Run-in Cohort) III. To estimate the progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with recurrent GBM treated with the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R), atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1), and FSRT. (Phase II Surgical Cohort) IV. To estimate the overall survival (OS) in patients with recurrent GBM treated with the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R), atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1), and FSRT. (Phase II Surgical Cohort) V. To determine the rate and severity of adverse events (AEs) of the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R), atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1), and FSRT in recurrent glioblastoma according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version (v) 5.0. (Separately in the Nonsurgical and Surgical Cohorts) EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the effect of the combination of atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) and FSRT, with versus (vs.) without tocilizumab (anti-IL6R), on the GBM immune microenvironment. (Phase II Surgical Cohort) II. To evaluate the pharmacodynamic impact of the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R), atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1), and FSRT on peripheral blood immune cell populations. (Phase II Surgical Cohort) III. To detect tumor and/or blood biomarkers associated with the outcomes of OS, PFS, and/or ORR in patients with recurrent GBM treated with the combination of tocilizumab (anti-IL6R), atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1), and FSRT. (Phase II Non-Surgical Cohort) OUTLINE: SAFETY RUN-IN, ARM 1 (Non Surgical Cohort: Dose Level 1): The non-surgical cohort is defined as patients with recurrent glioblastoma without a clinical indication for surgical resection. Patients receive tocilizumab 4 mg/kg administered intravenously (IV) over 60 minutes on Day 1. Within 3-7 days, patients undergo fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) delivered in 3 fractions over 3-5 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Beginning 4 weeks after the first dose, patients resume tocilizumab every 4 weeks for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) throughout the study. (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 08-AUG-2023) SAFETY RUN-IN, ARM 2 (Non Surgical Cohort: Dose Level 2): Patients receive tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV on Day 1. FSRT timing and fractionation, treatment schedule, and MRI assessments are performed as described in Arm 1. Beginning 4 weeks after the first dose, patients resume tocilizumab every 4 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 08-AUG-2023) SAFETY RUN-IN, ARM 3 (Non Surgical Cohort: Dose Level 3): Patients receive atezolizumab administered intravenously (IV) over 30-60 minutes followed by tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV on Day 1. FSRT timing and fractionation, treatment schedule, and MRI assessments are performed as described in Arm 1. Beginning 4 weeks after the first dose, patients resume atezolizumab plus tocilizumab every 4 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. (CLOSED TO ACCRUAL 08-AUG-2023) NON SURGICAL COHORT, ARM 4 (Phase II Expansion): The non-surgical cohort is defined as patients with recurrent glioblastoma without a clinical indication for surgical resection. Patients receive atezolizumab IV followed by tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV on Day 1. FSRT timing and fractionation, treatment schedule, and MRI assessments are performed as described in Arm 1. Beginning 4 weeks after the first dose, patients resume atezolizumab plus tocilizumab every 4 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. SURGICAL COHORT, ARM A: The surgical cohort is defined as patients with recurrent glioblastoma with a clinical indication for surgical resection. Patients receive atezolizumab IV followed by tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV on Day 1. Within 3-7 days, patients undergo FSRT delivered in 3 fractions over 3-5 days, followed by surgical resection 7-14 days after completion of FSRT. Beginning 21-42 days after surgery, patients receive atezolizumab plus tocilizumab every 4 weeks for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients undergo MRI throughout the study, and blood and tumor tissue are collected on study. SURGICAL COHORT, ARM B: Patients receive atezolizumab IV alone on Day 1 prior to FSRT and surgery. FSRT timing and fractionation, surgical timing, post operative treatment, MRI assessments, and biospecimen collection are performed as described in Arm A. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 30 days, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
61
Given IV
Undergo blood sample and tumor tissue collection
Undergo surgery
Undergo FSRT
Undergo MRI
Given IV
Kaiser Permanente-Anaheim
Anaheim, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente-Bellflower
Bellflower, California, United States
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles General Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
[Non-surgical Cohort] Maximum-tolerated Dose (Safety Run-In)
The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was defined as the highest prespecified dose level with an observed dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) rate of ≤33% of participants. MTD was determined during the safety run-in by testing increasing prespecified dose levels of tocilizumab alone and in combination with atezolizumab in Arms 1-3, with cohorts of 3 to 6 participants enrolled at each dose level. Dose escalation began with tocilizumab 4 mg/kg (Dose Level 1 / Arm 1), followed by tocilizumab 8 mg/kg (Dose Level 2 / Arm 2), and then tocilizumab 8 mg/kg in combination with atezolizumab 1680 mg (Dose Level 3 / Arm 3).
Time frame: From first dose of study drug through completion of Cycle 1 (28 days).
[Non-surgical Cohort, Safety Run-In] Number of Participants Who Experienced Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLTs)
DLTs per NCI CTCAE v5.0 include Grade ≥2 toxicity at least possibly related to study drug(s) that does not resolve to Grade ≤1 within 6 weeks of last dose with optimal management or prevents tapering corticosteroids to baseline (or pre-toxicity dose) within 6 weeks, excluding CNS toxicity due to intratumoral/peritumoral disease or edema that improves to Grade ≤2 within 7 days, cerebral edema improving per protocol, or endocrinopathy controlled by hormone replacement. Additional DLTs include Grade 4 immune-related AEs (excluding controlled endocrinopathy); Grade 3 hepatitis, pneumonitis, nephritis, myocarditis, pericarditis, encephalitis, myasthenia gravis, uveitis, episcleritis, peripheral neuropathy, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, acquired hemophilia, or autonomic neuropathy; recurrent Grade 2 pneumonitis; any-grade transverse myelitis; and hepatic or hematologic toxicity meeting protocol-specified criteria for dose modification or discontinuation.
Time frame: From first dose of study drug through completion of Cycle 1 (28 days).
[Non-surgical Cohort] Objective Radiographic Response Rate (Phase II)
Objective radiographic response rate (ORR) is defined as the proportion of patients who achieve a confirmed complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using modified Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria, compared with baseline MRI. CR is disappearance of all enhancing disease with no new lesions. PR is ≥50% decrease in enhancing tumor burden. Responses must be sustained for ≥4 weeks.
Time frame: Registration to 6 months
[Phase II Non-Surgical Cohort] Progression-free Survival
Disease progression is assessed by modified RANO criteria with iRANO adaptations. Progressive disease is defined as ≥25% increase in enhancing tumor burden compared with nadir, appearance of new enhancing lesions, clear clinical deterioration attributable to tumor progression, progression of non-measurable disease, or death. For patients receiving immunotherapy, suspected progression within 6 months may require confirmation on subsequent imaging to account for pseudoprogression; confirmed progression is back-dated to the initial scan. Median progression-free survival time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, censoring participants alive without progression at date of the last evaluable MRI tumor assessment.
Time frame: Time from study enrollment to disease progression, death from any cause, or last evaluable MRI tumor assessment. Maximum follow-up time at time of analysis was 13.5 months.
[Phase II Non-Surgical Cohort] Overall Survival
Median survival time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method in which participants alive at last known follow-up are censored.
Time frame: From study enrollment to death from any cause or last follow-up. Maximum follow-up time at time of analysis was 13.5 months.
[Surgical Cohort] Progression-free Survival
Disease progression is assessed by modified RANO criteria with iRANO adaptations. Progressive disease is defined as ≥25% increase in enhancing tumor burden compared with nadir, appearance of new enhancing lesions, clear clinical deterioration attributable to tumor progression, progression of non-measurable disease, or death. For patients receiving immunotherapy, suspected progression within 6 months may require confirmation on subsequent imaging to account for pseudoprogression; confirmed progression is back-dated to the initial scan. Median progression-free survival time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, censoring participants alive without progression at date of the last evaluable MRI tumor assessment.
Time frame: Time from study enrollment to disease progression, death from any cause, or last evaluable MRI tumor assessment. Maximum follow-up time at time of analysis was 13.9 months.
[Surgical Cohort] Overall Survival
Median survival time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method in which participants alive at last known follow-up are censored.
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Kaiser Permanente-Ontario
Ontario, California, United States
UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Orange, California, United States
Sutter Cancer Centers Radiation Oncology Services-Roseville
Roseville, California, United States
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Roseville, California, United States
Sutter Medical Center Sacramento
Sacramento, California, United States
...and 100 more locations
Time frame: From study enrollment to death from any cause or last follow-up. Maximum follow-up time at time of analysis was 13.9 months.
Number of Participants by Highest Grade Adverse Event Reported
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 grades adverse event severity as follows: 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe, 4 = life-threatening, 5 = death related to adverse event. Summary data is provided in this outcome measure; see Adverse Events Module for specific adverse event data.
Time frame: From study enrollment to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up time at time of analysis was 13.5 months for non-surgical cohort Arm 4, 13.9 months for surgical cohort Arms A and B, and 23.5 months for the non-surgical safety run-in Arms 1-3.