Pembrolizumab, Combination Chemotherapy, and Radiation Therapy Before Surgery in Treating Adult Patients With Locally Advanced Gastroesophageal Junction or Gastric Cardia Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02730546 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : April 6, 2016
Last Update Posted : December 2, 2020
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Gastric Cardia Adenocarcinoma Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma Stage IB Gastric Cancer AJCC v7 Stage II Gastric Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIA Gastric Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIB Gastric Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIA Gastric Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIB Gastric Cancer AJCC v7 | Drug: Carboplatin Procedure: Computed Tomography Drug: Fluorouracil Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis Drug: Leucovorin Calcium Drug: Oxaliplatin Drug: Paclitaxel Biological: Pembrolizumab Procedure: Positron Emission Tomography Radiation: Radiation Therapy Procedure: Therapeutic Conventional Surgery | Phase 1 Phase 2 |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 68 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Phase 1b/2 Clinical Trial of Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy With Weekly Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Adult Patients With Resectable, Locally Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Gastroesophageal Junction or Gastric Cardia |
Actual Study Start Date : | June 24, 2016 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | April 15, 2021 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | April 15, 2021 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Treatment (pembrolizumab, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery)
See Detailed Description
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Drug: Carboplatin
Given IV
Other Names:
Procedure: Computed Tomography Undergo CT scan
Other Names:
Drug: Fluorouracil Given IV
Other Names:
Other: Laboratory Biomarker Analysis Correlative studies Drug: Leucovorin Calcium Given IV
Other Names:
Drug: Oxaliplatin Given IV
Other Names:
Drug: Paclitaxel Given IV
Other Names:
Biological: Pembrolizumab Given IV
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Procedure: Positron Emission Tomography Undergo PET scan
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Radiation: Radiation Therapy Undergo radiation therapy
Other Names:
Procedure: Therapeutic Conventional Surgery Undergo curative-intent surgery |
- Pathological complete response (PathCR) rate [ Time Frame: Up to 3 years ]Defined as number of patients with pathologic complete responses divided by total evaluable patients.
- Progression-free survival (PFS) rate (if Phase Ib is re-initiated) [ Time Frame: At 1 year ]PFS rate defined as the number of patients who are alive and progression-free at 1 year divided by the total evaluable number of patients.
- Complete resection with no tumor within 1 mm of the resection margins (R0) rate [ Time Frame: Up to 3 years ]Defined as the number of patients who achieve R0 resection divided by total number of evaluable patients.
- Disease-free survival (DFS) [ Time Frame: Time from the date of study registration to the date of death due to all causes or recurrence, whichever occurs first, among patients who achieved an R0 resection, assessed up to 3 years ]The distribution of DFS will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. Two-year DFS rate and confidence interval will be estimated based on Kaplan-Meier curve.
- Incidence of dose-limiting toxicities assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 [ Time Frame: Up to 3 years ]The maximum grade for each type of adverse events that are possibly, probably or definitely related to study treatments will be recorded for each patient. The frequency tables will be reviewed to determine the patterns.
- Incidence of surgical complications [ Time Frame: Up to 3 years ]Incidence of surgical complications will be assessed.
- Overall survival (OS) [ Time Frame: Time from the date of study registration to the date of death due to all causes, assessed up to 3 years ]The distribution of OS will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. Two-year OS rate and confidence interval will be estimated based on Kaplan-Meier curve.
- Pathological complete response (PathCR rate) (if Phase Ib is re-initiated) [ Time Frame: Up to 3 years ]Defined as number of patients with pathologic complete responses divided by total evaluable patients (only done as secondary endpoint for phase 1b re-initiated treatment regimen).
- Progression-free survival (PFS) [ Time Frame: Time from the date of study registration to the date of death due to all causes, recurrences if R0 resections are achieved, progression disease before undergoing surgery, or R1/R2 resection at surgery, whichever comes first, assessed up to 3 years ]The distribution of PFS will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. Two-year PFS rate and confidence interval will be estimated based on Kaplan-Meier curve. (PFS will be examined as a secondary endpoint only for the original phase 1b treatment regimen).
- Time to relapse (TTR) [ Time Frame: Time from the date of study registration to the date of 1st documented relapse/recurrence among patients who achieve R- resection, assessed up to 3 years ]The distribution of TTR will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. Two-year relapse-free rate and confidence interval will be estimated based on Kaplan-Meier curve.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma involving the gastroesophageal junction or gastric cardia
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Central pathology review to determine evaluability of archived esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)/biopsy sample
- NOTE: If archived sample was collected > 8 weeks prior to pre-registration (reg), is not available in a timely manner, or was collected outside of Mayo Clinic and considered unevaluable, then baseline EGD with primary tumor biopsy at Mayo Clinic must be performed unless clinically contraindicated; patient is allowed to enroll regardless of whether this Mayo Clinic tissue sample is evaluable; (Only 1 EGD with primary tumor biopsy performed at Mayo Clinic =< 8 weeks prior to pre-reg is required)
- NOTE: For both archival or newly obtained tissue, only biopsies are adequate (fine needle aspiration [FNA] is not adequate)
- Willing to provide mandatory tissue samples for research purposes
- Baseline imaging with an fludeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) scan negative for distant metastatic disease must be obtained =< 28 days prior to registration
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Surgically resectable (T2N0, T3N0, Tany with node positivity, M0), as determined by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and the following minimum diagnostic work-up:
- Whole-body PET/computed tomography (CT) (PET/CT of skull base to mid-thigh is acceptable)
- EUS =< 21 days prior to registration
- NOTE: Patients may have regional adenopathy including para-esophageal, gastric, gastrohepatic and celiac nodes; if celiac adenopathy is present, it must be < 2 cm
- NOTE: If patient unable to have PET/CT then CT chest/abdomen/pelvis with contrast (preferred) or MRI chest/abdomen/pelvis with contrast
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Surgical consultation at enrolling site to confirm that patient will be able to undergo curative resection after completion of chemoradiation =< 56 days prior to registration
- Tumor is amenable to standard resection and reconstruction
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Radiation oncology consultation at enrolling site to confirm that disease can be encompassed in a radiotherapy field =< 56 days prior to registration
- NOTE: Radiotherapy quality assurance rapid review must be performed before the first fraction of radiation therapy (RT) is administered; if RT constraints cannot be met, the patient will be removed from the protocol prior to treatment
- Consultation with a medical oncologist at enrolling site =< 56 days prior to registration, with determination that treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel is considered acceptable
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1
- Adequate oral intake and nutritional status without current or likely need for enteral or parenteral feeding during chemoradiation or the preoperative period
- Pre-treatment pulmonary function tests (PFTs), collected =< 90 days prior to enrollment, must show forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) > 60% of predicted
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Adequate organ function =< 21 days prior to registration:
- Aspartate transaminase (AST) level =< 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) and alanine transaminase (ALT) =< 3 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Total bilirubin level of =< 1.5 x ULN
- Creatinine level =< 1.2 x ULN or creatinine clearance > 60 mL/min/1.73 m^2 for patients with creatinine levels above or below the institutional normal
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) >= 9 g/dl without transfusion or epoetin dependency (=< 7 days prior to assessment)
- Absolute neutrophil count >= 1.5 x 10^9/L
- Platelets >= 100 x 10^9/L
- Albumin >= 2.5 g/dl
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Female patients of childbearing potential must be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication
- NOTE: Patients of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for > 1 year
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Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test =< 7 days prior to registration
- NOTE: If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required
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Male patients must agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy
- NOTE: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the established and preferred method of contraception for the subject
- Provide signed written informed consent
- Willing to return to enrolling institution for follow-up
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Willing to provide mandatory tissue and blood samples for research purposes
- NOTE: Patients must be willing to provide at the time surgical resection; for patients who do not undergo surgery, any on-study tumor biopsy obtained for clinical purposes subsequent to the baseline biopsy must also be available for analysis
Exclusion Criteria:
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Tumor characteristics - any of the following are excluded:
- Evidence of distant metastases
- Tumors whose location is restricted to the tubular esophagus (i.e., without involvement of the GEJ or cardia)
- Tumors whose proximal end are at the level of the carina or higher
- Invasion of the tracheobronchial tree or presence of tracheoesophageal fistula
- Palpable supraclavicular nodes, biopsy-proven involvement of supraclavicular nodes, or radiographically involved supraclavicular nodes (> 1.5 cm in greatest dimension)
- T1N0M0, T4Nany, or in situ carcinoma
- Tumor must not extend 5 or more cm into the stomach
- Received prior treatment or receiving current treatment for this malignancy
- Prior radiation to chest or abdomen, or to > 30% of the marrow cavity
- Inadequate caloric or fluid intake whereby there is a current or likely future need for enteral or parenteral feeding during chemoradiation or the preoperative period
- Major surgery =< 4 weeks prior to registration
- Active autoimmune disorders, including patients known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, or those requiring chronic steroid administration (excluding inhaled steroids)
- Uncontrolled diabetes (i.e., will interfere with the performance of the FDG PET/CT scans)
- Prior allergic reactions to drugs containing Cremophor, such as teniposide or cyclosporine, or study drugs involved in this protocol, or to a monoclonal antibody or prior hypersensitivity to platinum-containing agents
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Heart conditions - any of the following:
- Any atrial fibrillation =< 3 months prior to registration
- Unstable angina =< 12 months prior to registration
- Prior symptomatic congestive heart failure
- Documented myocardial infarction =< 6 months prior to registration (pretreatment electrocardiogram [ECG] evidence of infarct only will not exclude patients)
- Prior significant ventricular arrhythmia requiring medication
- Prior 2nd or 3rd degree heart block or other types of clinically significant conduction delay =< 6 months prior to registration
- Clinically significant pericardial disease (including pericardial effusion, pericarditis) or cardiac valvular disease =< 12 months prior to registration
- NOTE: As part of history and physical, all patients must be assessed for signs or symptoms of cardiac disease, or for prior history of cardiac disease; these conditions include but are not limited to diseases related to cardiac valves, pericardium, myocardium, atrioventricular delays or arrhythmias; it is strongly recommended that signs or symptoms of potentially clinically significant disease be evaluated with comprehensive cardiac echo
- Prior pancreatitis that was symptomatic or required medical intervention =< 6 months prior to registration (known toxicity of pembrolizumab)
- Prior enteritis that was symptomatic or required medical intervention =< 6 months prior to registration (known toxicity of pembrolizumab)
- Uncontrolled hyper/hypothyroidism or hyper/hypocorticism =< 6 months prior to registration (known toxicity of pembrolizumab)
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Pulmonary conditions - any of the following:
- Respiratory condition that required any oxygen supplementation =< 6 months prior to registration
- Prior or current pneumonitis
- Clinically significant pulmonary hypertension =< 12 months prior to registration
- Lung infection requiring treatment =< 3 months prior to registration
- Pulmonary embolism requiring treatment =< 6 months prior to registration
- Pleural effusion requiring drainage =< 12 months prior to registration
- Prior fistula within thorax, including bronchoalveolar or esophageal
- Body mass index (BMI) >= 35 mg/m^2 =< 56 days prior to registration
- Pre-existing motor or sensory neurotoxicity greater than Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 1
- Acute bacterial, viral, or fungal infection requiring treatment at the time of registration
- Active infection or other serious underlying medical condition which would impair the ability of the patient to receive the planned treatment
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, psychiatric illness/social situations, or other co-morbid systemic illnesses or severe concurrent diseases which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens
- Prior malignancy =< 5 years prior to registration (except non-melanotic skin cancer or carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix) (must be disease free for a minimum of 5 years); if there is a history of prior malignancy, patient must not be receiving other specific treatment (other than hormonal therapy) for cancer
- Dementia or altered mental status that would prohibit the understanding and giving of informed consent
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Any of the following because this study involves an agent where the genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects are unknown:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Patient of childbearing potential who is unwilling to employ adequate contraception
- Received live vaccine =< 30 days prior to registration

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02730546
United States, Arizona | |
Mayo Clinic Hospital | Recruiting |
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85054 | |
Contact: Clinical Trials Referral Office 866-776-0015 mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Daniel H. Ahn, M.D. | |
United States, Minnesota | |
Mayo Clinic | Recruiting |
Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905 | |
Contact: Clinical Trials Referral Office 855-776-0015 mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Harry H. Yoon, M.D. |
Principal Investigator: | Harry Yoon | Mayo Clinic |
Responsible Party: | Mayo Clinic |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT02730546 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
MC1541 NCI-2016-00508 ( Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program) ) MC1541 ( Other Identifier: Mayo Clinic ) P30CA015083 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | April 6, 2016 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | December 2, 2020 |
Last Verified: | December 2020 |
Adenocarcinoma Stomach Neoplasms Carcinoma Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms Gastrointestinal Neoplasms Digestive System Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Digestive System Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Stomach Diseases Calcium, Dietary Leucovorin Folic Acid |
Paclitaxel Carboplatin Fluorouracil Oxaliplatin Pembrolizumab Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel Calcium Levoleucovorin Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic Antineoplastic Agents Tubulin Modulators Antimitotic Agents Mitosis Modulators Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents |