Randomized, Double Blinded Phase III Trial of Cisplatin and Etoposide Plus Thoracic Radiation Therapy Followed By Nivolumab/Placebo For Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Patients with Stage III unresectable non-small cell lung cancer will receive thoracic radiation, cisplatin and etoposide followed by nivolumab or placebo given every 2 weeks for a year.
• Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with unresectable, medically inoperable disease, or patients who refuse resection stage IIIA or stage IIIB disease (AJCC 7th edition)
• History/physical examination within 30 days prior to registration
• Computed tomography (CT) scan with IV contrast (CT scan without contrast acceptable if IV contrast is medically contraindicated) of the lung and upper abdomen through the adrenal glands within 60 days prior to registration (recommended within 30 days prior to registration)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with contrast (or CT with contrast if MRI is medically contraindicated) within 60 days prior to registration; note: the use of intravenous contrast is required for the MRI or CT (unless medically contra-indicated).
• Whole-body fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT within 60 days prior to registration; Note: patients do not need to have a separate CT of chest and upper abdomen with contrast if PET/CT imaging includes a high quality CT chest with contrast.
• Age ≥ 18 years
• The trial is open to both genders
• Zubrod Performance status of 0-1
• Forced Expiratory Volume at one second (FEV1) \> 1.2 liters; Diffusion Capacity of Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) ≥ 50% predicted
• Patients must be at least 3 weeks from prior thoracotomy (if performed); if prior thoracotomy then measurable disease on imaging must be present
• Negative serum pregnancy test within three days prior to registration for women of childbearing potential
• An archived tumor block or punches instead block must be available for submission for programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) analysis. If an archived tumor block sample cannot be shipped for this study, then two 3mm punches from the core needle biopsy blocks may be provided for analysis. Note: core or excisional biopsy is required for this study. Fine needle aspirates (FNA) and cytology specimens are not adequate for PD-L1 analysis.
• Agreement of women of childbearing potential to use highly effective contraception during receipt of study drug and up to 161 days (23 weeks) from the last dose of nivolumab/placebo and men receiving nivolumab/placebo who are sexually active with women of childbearing potential to use highly effective contraception during receipt of study drug for 31 weeks from the last dose of nivolumab/placebo.