METRO-PD1: Phase 1 study of nivolumab in combination with metronomic chemotherapy in children and adolescents with relapsing/refractory solid tumors

Abstract

Background: This multicenter Phase I study (NCT03585465) evaluated nivolumab in combination with 3 metronomic chemotherapy (MC) regimens in children with refractory/relapsing solid tumors.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the three regimens METHODS: Patients aged < 18 years were enrolled. Nivolumab was combined with cyclophosphamide and vinblastine (arm A), capecitabine (arm B), or cyclophosphamide, vinblastine and capecitabine (arm C). Arm A and B were allocated sequentially. Arm C opened only if A and B were deemed safe. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were evaluated over the first two cycles. Patients were evaluable if they received > 2 cycles and > 70% of the planned dose.

Population: Sixteen patients were enrolled, 3 in arm A, 6 in arm B, and 7 in arm C. Median age was 11.5 years (range, 5-19). Patients previously received a median of 3.5 (range, 1-4) lines of systemic treatment, 14 patients had surgery and 11 had radiotherapy.

Results: Median number of cycles was 2 (1-24), median treatment duration was 56 days (18-714). In arm C, median number of cycles was 4 with median treatment duration of 95 days. No DLT was observed. Grade 3 adverse events (AE) and serious AE were observed in 8 patients (50%) and 1 patient (6%), respectively, over the first 2 cycles. No grade 4 AE occurred. The 6-month PFS and OS were 12% and 44%, respectively, in the whole population. Prolonged stable disease was observed in a high-grade glioma and an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor.

Conclusion: Arm C appears safe. A randomized phase II trial evaluating the addition of nivolumab to the triple MC is ongoing.

Keywords: Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Metronomic chemotherapy; Pediatric cancer.