This study aims to evaluate whether resecting the primary tumor can improve the outcomes of treatment with sintilimab and chemotherapy in advanced EGFR/ALK-negative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will undergo primary tumor resection followed by sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin, while the other group will only receive sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin. The study will assess progression-free survival, overall survival, treatment response, safety, and the impact of treatment on quality of life. Through this study, we hope to determine whether primary tumor resection can provide additional benefits of anti-PD-1 therapy and chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.
This study is a single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of primary tumor resection combined with sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin in patients with advanced, EGFR/ALK-negative NSCLC. A total of 118 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two treatment groups: one group will receive tumor resection followed by the combination of sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin, while the other group will receive sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin without tumor resection. The primary endpoint of the study is progression-free survival (PFS), as assessed by independent radiological review according to RECIST v1.1 criteria. Secondary outcomes include overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), adverse effects (AEs), serious adverse effects (SAEs) and quality of life (QoL). Statistical analysis will include Kaplan-Meier estimation of median PFS with 95% confidence intervals, log-rank testing for comparing differences between the two treatment groups, and Cox proportional hazards models for calculating hazard ratios. Stratification will be performed based on clinical stage, histological subtype, PD-L1 expression, tumor size, and baseline demographic characteristics. Patients will be followed up until disease progression or death from randomization. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of combining surgery with anti-PD-1 therapy and chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
118
* Preoperative evaluation must confirm resectability. Thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery will be performed, with the surgical approach selected according to disease conditions, such as lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection, or sleeve resection; ② Systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection or lymph node sampling (based on preoperative imaging and intraoperative evaluation) must be performed; ③ Postoperative recovery must be adequate (postoperative complications ≤ Clavien-Dindo grade II).
1. Treatment phase: ① Sintilimab Dose: 200 mg, administered intravenously over 30 minutes or less; ② Pemetrexed Dose: 500 mg/m², administered intravenously over 10 minutes or less; ③ Carboplatin Dose: administered according to the area under the curve (AUC) of 5 mg/mL/min, with infusion time controlled within 15-60 minutes. The above regimen will be administered every 3 weeks after surgery for a total of 4 cycles. 2. Maintenance phase: * Sintilimab Dose: 200 mg, administered intravenously over 30 minutes or less; ② Pemetrexed Dose: 500 mg/m², administered intravenously over 10 minutes or less; The above regimen will be administered every 3 weeks. Maintenance with sintilimab will continue for up to 31 cycles, or the total duration of systemic therapy from randomization will not exceed 2 years, or until disease progression or the occurrence of unacceptable toxicity
Progression-Free Survival (PFS)
PFS is defined as the time from randomization to the first documentation of disease progression (PD) or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. Disease progression will be assessed by the Independent Radiology Review Committee (IRRC) according to RECIST version 1.1 criteria.
Time frame: From randomization until the first documentation of disease progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs first (up to 5 years).
Overall Survival (OS)
OS is defined as the time from randomization to death from any cause.
Time frame: Randomization to death from any cause (up to 5 years).
Objective Response Rate (ORR)
The proportion of patients achieving complete and partial remission after treatment, measured according to RECIST v1.1 criteria.
Time frame: Randomization until disease progression or death, which ever occurs first (up to 5 years).
Disease Control Rate (DCR)
DCR is defined as the proportion of participants with complete response, partial response, and stable disease, as determined by RECIST v1.1 criteria.
Time frame: Randomization until disease progression or death, which ever occurs first (up to 5 years).
Adverse Events
Safety will be assessed by recording treatment-related adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs), graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0.
Time frame: Randomization up to approximately 5 years.
Quality of Life (QoL) evaluated by European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer core quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)
The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a 30 item instrument meant to assess some of the different aspects that define the quality of life of cancer patients (range: 0-100; higher scores indicate better functioning and quality of life).
Time frame: Randomization until disease progression or death, which ever occurs first (up to 5 years).
Quality of Life (QoL) evaluated by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Lung Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-LC13)
Supplementary lung cancer-specific questionnaire to be used in conjunction with the QLQ-C30 (range: 0-100; higher scores indicate worse lung cancer-related symptoms).
Time frame: Randomization until disease progression or death, which ever occurs first (up to 5 years).
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