Avelumab as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Subjects With Urothelial Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancers (AURA Trial) (AURA)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03674424
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: September 17, 2018
• Last Update Posted: March 29, 2023
• Sponsor: Jules Bordet Institute
• Collaborator: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Jules Bordet Institute

Study Description

Brief Summary:

Open-label, interventional, multi-centre, randomized phase II study. Cancer studied is non-metastatic muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Avelumab administered every 2 weeks is used as neoadjuvant therapy in subjects with urothelial muscle invasive bladder cancers in combination with standard chemotherapy or alone.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Non-metastatic Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer	Drug: Avelumab; Procedure: cystectomy; Combination Product: CG; Combination Product: DD-MVAC; Combination Product: PG	Phase 2

Detailed Description:

Open-label, interventional, multi-centre, randomized phase II study. Cancer studied is non-metastatic muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) Patients (male or female) will receive avelumab every 2 weeks in combination with standard chemotherapy or alone. There are 2 cohorts of patients.

Cohort with patients cisplatin-ineligible will receive either avelumab alone or in combination with paclitaxel-gemcitabine chemotherapy.

Cohort with patients cisplatin-eligible will receive either methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicine and cisplatin in combination with avelumab or cisplatin, gemcitabine in combination with avelumab.

The estimated number of subjects to screen is 183 patients for an estimated number of 166 patients enrolled for 150 evaluable patients:

26 patients in the paclitaxel, gemcitabine in combination with avelumab arm (cisplatin-ineligible patients) 26 patients in avelumab alone arm (cisplatin-ineligible patients) 49 patients in cisplatin gemcitabine + avelumab arm (cisplatin-eligible patients) 49 patients in methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicine and cisplatin + avelumab arm (cisplatin-eligible patients)

AVELUMAB:

Avelumab will be administered at a dose of 10 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) 1-hour intravenous (iv) infusion once every 2 weeks. Dose reductions are not allowed.

Depending on the treatment arm, Avelumab will be given associated with chemotherapy or alone for a maximum of 4 administrations.

DD-MVAC:

DD-MVAC consists of Methotrexate 30 mg/m2 iv day 1, Vinblastine 3 mg/m2 iv day 2, Cisplatin 70 mg/m2 iv day 2 and Doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 iv day 2. Each cycle is given every 2 weeks for a maximum of 4 administrations. Pegfilgrastim 6 mg subcutaneous (SQ) 24-48 hours after completion of chemotherapy will be given.

Chemotherapy is associated with Avelumab 10 mg/kg iv given on day 2 every 2 weeks.

CG:

CG consists of Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 iv in day 1 and day 8 and Cisplatin 70 mg/m2 iv in day 1. Each cycle is given every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 administrations. Pegfilgrastim 6 mg subcutaneous (SQ) 24-48 hours after completion of chemotherapy will be given.

Chemotherapy is associated with Avelumab 10 mg/kg iv given on day 1 every 2 weeks.

PG:

PG consists of Paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 iv in day 1 and day 15 and Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 iv in day 1 and day 15. Each cycle is repeated every 4 weeks for a maximum of 4 administrations.

Chemotherapy is associated with Avelumab 10 mg/kg i.v. given every on day 1 every 2 weeks.

For patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment, the surgery (cystectomy or nephroureterectomy associated to lymphadenectomy) will be performed within 3-6 weeks after the last administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment.

For patients receiving avelumab alone, the surgery will be performed 2 weeks (+7 days) after the last administration of avelumab.

Any delay in surgery (> 6 weeks after the last chemotherapy administration or >3 weeks after the last administration of avelumab alone) for any reason, needs to be discussed with the PI/Sponsor.

For all patients, neoadjuvant treatment will be stopped if there is evidence of progression of disease (by RECIST 1.1 or investigator's decision) or unacceptable toxicity according to the investigator. In this situation, the investigator will decide if it is needed to proceed directly with the surgery.

The end of study will be declared when all the following criteria will have been met:

• The study ends after last visit of the last patient remaining in the study.
• The trial is mature for the analysis of the endpoints as defined in the protocol, if the trial reaches its endpoints.
• The database has been fully cleaned and frozen for all analyses.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 137 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Intervention Model Description: Open-label, randomized study. 2 cohorts possible depending on cisplatin-eligibility. Afterwards randomization between 2 arms into the cohort.
• Masking: None (Open Label)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Avelumab as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Subjects With Urothelial Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancers
• Actual Study Start Date: June 1, 2018
• Actual Primary Completion Date: December 31, 2022
• Actual Study Completion Date: December 31, 2022

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: DD-MVAC + avelumab; Methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (DD-MVAC) given in combination with Avelumab. DD-MVAC consists of Methotrexate 30 mg/m2 iv day 1, Vinblastine 3 mg/m2 iv day 2, Cisplatin 70 mg/m2 iv day 2 and Doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 iv day 2. Each cycle is given every 2 weeks for a maximum of 4 administrations Chemotherapy is associated with Avelumab 10 mg/kg, 1-hour intravenous (iv) infusion, given on day 2 every 2 weeks. Cystectomy will be performed 3 to 6 weeks after last administration of chemotherapy	Drug: Avelumab; Chemotherapy with or without avelumab followed by surgery; Procedure: cystectomy; Cystectomy 3 to 6 weeks after last administration of chemotherapy; Combination Product: DD-MVAC; Chemotherapy 4 cycles of 2 weeks
Experimental: CG+ avelumab; Cisplatin, gemcitabine (CG) consists of Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 iv in day 1 and day 8 and Cisplatin 70 mg/m2 iv in day 1. Each cycle is given every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 administrations. Chemotherapy is associated with Avelumab 10 mg/kg, 1-hour intravenous (iv) infusion, given on day 1 every 2 weeks Cystectomy will be performed 3 to 6 weeks after last administration of chemotherapy	Drug: Avelumab; Chemotherapy with or without avelumab followed by surgery; Procedure: cystectomy; Cystectomy 3 to 6 weeks after last administration of chemotherapy; Combination Product: CG; Chemotherapy 4 cycles of 3 weeks
Experimental: PG+ avelumab; Paclitaxel, gemcitabine (PG) consists of Paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 iv in day 1 and day 15 and Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 iv in day 1 and day 15. Each cycle is repeated every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 administrations. Chemotherapy is associated with Avelumab 10 mg/kg, 1-hour intravenous (iv) infusion, given on day 1 every 2 weeks Cystectomy will be performed 3 to 6 weeks after last administration of chemotherapy	Drug: Avelumab; Chemotherapy with or without avelumab followed by surgery; Procedure: cystectomy; Cystectomy 3 to 6 weeks after last administration of chemotherapy; Combination Product: PG; Chemotherapy 2 cycles of 4 weeks
Experimental: Avelumab; Avelumab will be administered at a dose of 10 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) 1-hour intravenous (iv) infusion once every 2 weeks. Dose reductions are not allowed. Avelumab will be given alone for 4 administrations. Cystectomy will be performed 2 weeks after the last administration of avelumab	Drug: Avelumab; Chemotherapy with or without avelumab followed by surgery; Procedure: cystectomy; Cystectomy 3 to 6 weeks after last administration of chemotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. To determine the pathologic complete response (ypT0/Tis ypN0) following neoadjuvant treatment in patients with non-metastatic MIBC. [ Time Frame: during surgery ]
   - Outcome measure: Pathological complete response is defined as the absence of invasive carcinoma (ypT0/Tis) disease and the absence of microscopic lymph node metastases (ypN0) on the final surgical specimen.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. To determine the pathologic response rate (<ypT2N0) [ Time Frame: during surgery ]
   Outcome measure: Pathologic response is defined as the absence of muscle invasive carcinoma (<ypT2N0 disease) on the final surgical specimen.
2. Assessment of the toxicity profile of regimen using the adverse events reported: NCI CTCAE v4.03 [ Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 3 months ]
   Outcome measure: adverse events reported during the study according to NCI CTCAE v4.03
3. Assessment of local or distant recurrence [ Time Frame: at 12 and 36 months after surgery (or at 12 and 36 months after last treatment dose if no surgery was performed) ]
   Outcome measure: invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) rate. iDFS period is defined as a time between the surgery (or last treatment dose if no surgery) and the date of diagnosis of local or distant recurrence, or secondary primary malignancy
4. Assessment of overall survival [ Time Frame: minimum 36 months FU after surgery (or after last treatment dose if no surgery). ]
   overall survival (OS) rate. Overall survival is defined as a time between the surgery (or last treatment dose if no surgery) and the day of death (due to any causes) or day of last news

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

General Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years old
2. Must have histologically confirmed muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma) or urothelial carcinoma with mixed histology of the bladder, renal pelvis or ureters. Stage permitted: T2, T3 or T4a. T stage is based on the standard of care transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) sample
3. Patients may have nodal disease (Nx, N0, N1 or N2) at imagery but there must be no evidence of distant metastases (M0)
4. Performance status 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG).
5. Be a medically appropriate candidate for surgery as determined by an attending urologist

6. Adequate bone marrow function as defined below:

   • Absolute neutrophil count ≥1500/µL or 1.5x109/L
   • Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL
   • Platelets ≥100000/µL or 100x109/L 7)

7. Adequate liver function as defined below:

   • Serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN. In case of known Gilbert's syndrome < 3xUNL is allowed
   • AST (SGOT)/ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN
8. Serum pregnancy test (for subjects of childbearing potential) negative within 7 days prior to study treatment administration.
9. Women of childbearing potential must agree to use one highly effective method of contraception prior study entry, during the course of the study and up to 6 months after the last administration of study treatment. Men with childbearing potential partner must agree to use condom during the course of this study and up to 6 months after the last administration of the study treatment.
10. Completion of all necessary screening procedures within 28 days prior to treatment.
11. Availability of biological material for screening and/or translational research activities

12. Signed Informed Consent form (ICF) obtained prior to any study related procedure.

    Cisplatin-eligible cohort specific criteria:

13. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or Creatinine Clearance≥ 60 mL/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula (or local institutional standard method) and
14. Peripheral neuropathy ≤ grade 1 and
15. Hearing impaired ≤ grade 1 and

16. Adequate cardiac function (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction LVEF ≥ 55%) by MUGA (Multiple-Gated Acquisition) scan or echocardiography

    Cisplatin ineligible cohort specific criteria (if any of the following criteria):

17. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or Creatinine Clearance ≥ 30mL/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula (or local institutional standard method) or
18. Peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 or

19. Hearing impaired ≥ grade 2

    Inclusion criterion specific for France:

20. Patients must be affiliated to a social security system

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects meeting one of the following criteria are not eligible for this study:

1. Metastatic disease (M1)
2. Has had prior systemic chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy for urothelial carcinoma
3. Prior treatment with drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathways
4. Current use of immunosuppressive medication, EXCEPT for the following: a. intranasal, inhaled, topical steroids, or local steroid injection (e.g., intra-articular injection); b. Systemic corticosteroids at physiologic doses ≤ 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent; c. Steroids as premedication for hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., CT scan premedication)
5. Has an active autoimmune disease that might deteriorate when receiving an immunostimulatory agent. Patients with diabetes type I, vitiligo, psoriasis, or hypo- or hyperthyroid diseases not requiring immunosuppressive treatment are eligible.
6. Has had a prior organ transplantation including allogenic stem-cell transplantation.
7. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
8. Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or known acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
9. Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA is detected)
10. Has received vaccination within 4 weeks of the first dose of avelumab and while on trials is prohibited except for administration of inactivated vaccines such as influenza vaccine.
11. Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or using an investigational device within 28 days prior to study registration
12. History of prior invasive malignancy within 2 years (exception of adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, basal or squamous cell skin cancer, localised prostate cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ)
13. Known prior severe hypersensitivity to investigational product or any component in its formulations, including known severe hypersensitivity reactions to monoclonal antibodies (NCI CTCAE v4.03 Grade ≥ 3)
14. Clinically significant (i.e., active) cardiovascular disease: cerebral vascular accident/stroke (< 6 months prior to enrolment), myocardial infarction (< 6 months prior to enrolment), unstable angina, congestive heart failure (≥ New York Heart Association Classification Class II), or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication."
15. Pregnant and/or lactating women.
16. Subject with a significant medical, neuro-psychiatric, or surgical condition, currently uncontrolled by treatment, which, in the principal investigator's opinion, may interfere with completion of the study.
17. Persisting toxicity related to prior therapy (NCI CTCAE v. 4.03 Grade >1); however, alopecia, sensory neuropathy Grade ≤2, or other Grade ≤2 not constituting a safety risk based on investigator's judgment are acceptable.

18. Other severe acute chronic medical conditions including immune colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, immune pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis or psychiatric conditions including recent (within the past year) or active suicidal ideation or behaviour; or laboratory abnormalities that may increase the risk associated with the study participation or study treatment administration or may interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study.

    Exclusion criterion specific for France:

19. Vulnerable persons according to the article L.1121-6 of the CSP, adults who are the subject of a measure of legal protection or unable to express their consent according to article L.1121-8 of the CSP.

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Belgium

UZAntwerpen

Edegem, Antwerpen, Belgium, 2650

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire et Psychiatrique de Mons-Borinage

Mons, Hainaut, Belgium, 7000

Institut Jules Bordet

Brussels, Belgium, 1000

Grand Hôpital de Charleroi

Gilly, Belgium, 6000

CHU de Liège Sart Tilman

Liège, Belgium, 4000

CHU Namur - Sainte Elisabeth

Namur, Belgium, 5000

France

Centre Oscar Lambret

Lille, France, 59000

Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph

Paris, France, 75014

Hôpital Saint Louis

Paris, France, 75475

Hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg

Strasbourg, France, 67091

Sponsors and Collaborators

Jules Bordet Institute

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

More Information

Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

Martinez Chanza N, Soukane L, Barthelemy P, Carnot A, Gil T, Casert V, Vanhaudenarde V, Sautois B, Staudacher L, Van den Brande J, Culine S, Seront E, Gizzi M, Albisinni S, Tricard T, Fantoni JC, Paesmans M, Caparica R, Roumeguere T, Awada A. Avelumab as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with urothelial non-metastatic muscle invasive bladder cancer: a multicenter, randomized, non-comparative, phase II study (Oncodistinct 004 - AURA trial). BMC Cancer. 2021 Dec 2;21(1):1292. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08990-3.

• Responsible Party: Jules Bordet Institute
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03674424
• Other Study ID Numbers: IJB-AURA-ODN-004
• First Posted: September 17, 2018
• Last Update Posted: March 29, 2023
• Last Verified: March 2023

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Urologic Neoplasms; Urogenital Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Avelumab; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Agents