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Testing of Drugs Erlotinib and Docetaxel in Lung Cancer Patients Classified Regarding Their Outlook Using VeriStrat®.

A Randomized Phase III Trial of Erlotinib Versus Docetaxel in Patients With Advanced Squamous Cell Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Who Failed First Line Platinum Based Doublet Chemotherapy Stratified by VeriStrat Good vs VeriStrat Poor

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01652469
Acronym
EMPHASIS
Enrollment
81
Registered
2012-07-30
Start date
2012-08-01
Completion date
2015-12-01
Last updated
2026-08-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung

Keywords

squamous cell, NSCLC, TKI, Erlotinib, Docetaxel, VeriStrat, protein signature

Brief summary

Using a laboratory test (VeriStrat), patients with relapsed squamous cell lung cancer are assigned to two strata, VSG (VeriStrat Good) and VSP (VeriStrat Poor). They are then randomized between an EGFR-TK inhibitor (erlotinib) and chemotherapy (Docetaxel). It is hypothesized that the VeriStrat test results are able to predict the benefit of treatment with erlotinib vs docetaxel. This would suggest a significant improvement in progression-free survival for VSG patients when treated with Erlotinib, and no significant improvement in VSP patients who receive the same treatment.

Detailed description

Goals of the study: 1. Explore the predictive ability of the VeriStrat signature, by testing for interaction between treatment arms (Arm A: erlotinib vs Arm B: docetaxel) and VeriStrat status (VSG vs VSP) using as outcome progression free survival. 2. Explore whether treatment with erlotinib provides progression free survival benefit as compared to docetaxel in the VSG group. 3. Compare progression free survival in the two treatment arms (Arm A: erlotinib vs Arm B: docetaxel) in the VSP group. 4. Explore the prognostic ability of the VeriStrat signature by testing for an overall difference in progression free survival between the two VeriStrat groups (in case of no significant interaction). 5. Explore the predictive ability of the VeriStrat signature using the secondary measures of clinical efficacy including overall survival, objective response rate, and disease control rate. 6. Compare overall survival, objective response rate and disease control rate between treatment groups separately in the VSG and VSP groups. 7. Explore the prognostic ability of the VeriStrat signature by testing for an overall difference in overall survival, objective response rate and disease control rate between the two VeriStrat groups (in case of no significant interaction). 8. Assess the safety and the tolerability of the two treatments separately in each VeriStrat group and overall. Recruitment period: 18 months Sample Size: 500

Interventions

DRUGErlotinib

Erlotinib 150 mg/day p.o. continuously with 21 days cycle.

DRUGDocetaxel

Docetaxel 75 mg/m2 as an IV infusion every 21 days.

Sponsors

ETOP IBCSG Partners Foundation
Lead SponsorNETWORK
Biodesix, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced stage IIIB, not amenable to radical radiotherapy, or metastatic stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of predominant squamous subtype, according to the 7th edition of the TNM classification, including M1a (separate tumor nodule in a contralateral lobe, tumor with pleural nodules or malignant pleural or pericardial effusion) and/or M1b (distant metastasis). * Progressive disease upon or after previous chemotherapy including at least one line of platinum-based chemotherapy. * Measurable or evaluable disease according to RECIST v1.1 (Appendix 2). * ECOG PS 0-2. * Age ≥ 18 years. * Adequate organ function, including: * Adequate bone marrow reserve: ANC \> 1.5 x 109/L, platelets \> 100 x 109/L. * Hepatic: bilirubin \<1.5 x ULN; AP, ALT \< 3.0 x ULN; AP, ALT \<5 x ULN is acceptable in case of liver metastasis. * Renal: calculated creatinine clearance \> 40 ml/min based on the Cockroft and Gault formula. * Signed and dated informed consent form. * Male and female patients with reproductive potential must use an approved contraceptive method, during the trial and 12 months thereafter. Female patients with reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 7 days prior to study registration. * Estimated life expectancy \>12 weeks. * Patient compliance and geographical proximity that allow adequate follow-up.

Exclusion criteria

* Evidence of other medical condition which would impair the ability of the patient to participate in the trial or might preclude therapy with trial drugs (e.g. unstable or uncompensated respiratory, cardiac, hepatic or renal disease, active infection, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus). * Previous treatment with any EGFR-TKI or docetaxel. * Documented brain metastases unless the patient has completed local therapy for central nervous system metastases and has been off corticosteroids for at least 14 days prior to study registration. * Documented presence of activating EGFR mutations, if the patient was tested for EGFR mutations. * Previous malignancy within the past 5 years with the exception of adequately treated cervical carcinoma in situ, breast cancer in situ or localized non-melanoma skin cancer. * Psychiatric disorder precluding understanding of information on trial related topics, giving informed consent, or interfering with compliance for oral drug intake. * Concurrent treatment with experimental drugs or other anti-cancer therapy treatment in a clinical trial within 21 days prior to study registration. * Known hypersensitivity to trial drugs or hypersensitivity to any other component of the trial drugs or any concomitant drugs contraindicated.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Progression-free SurvivalThe combined run in period, treatment and follow-up for PFS is expected to extend the study duration to a total of 24 months.Time from the date of randomization until documented progression or death without documented progression. Assessment of Progressive Disease (PD) based on Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.1) Target lesions:At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm.(Note: the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progression). Non-target lesions:Unequivocal progression of existing non-target lesions. (Note:the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progression). To achieve 'unequivocal progression', there must be an overall level of substantial worsening in non-target disease such that,even in presence of SD or PR in target disease, the overall tumour burden has increased sufficiently

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Overall SurvivalAll patients will be followed for survival status every 12 weeks up to 24 months after the last patient is randomizedDefined as time from the date of randomization until death from any cause.
Objective ResponseSame as primary outcome: 24 monthsObjective response is defined as best overall response (CR or PR) across all assessment time-points according to RECIST Criteria 1.1 during the period from randomization to termination of trial treatment.
Disease ControlSame as primary outcome: 24 monthsDisease control is defined as achieving objective response or stable disease for at least 6 weeks.
Number of Participants With Adverse EventsSame as primary outcome: 24 monthsAdverse events classified according to NCI CTCAE version 4

Countries

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Contacts

STUDY_CHAIRSolange Peters, MD-PhD

Centre Pluridisciplinaire d'Oncologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland

STUDY_CHAIREgbert Smit, MD-PhD

Vrije Universiteit VU, Medical Centre, 1007MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands

STUDY_CHAIRRolf Stahel, MD

Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Clinic of Oncology, University Hospital Zürich, 8044 Zürich, Switzerland

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Discrepancy between nb of enrolled pts and nb of pts who started treatment,because 1 patient,who shouldn't have been included (exclusion criteria),was enrolled in the database by mistake.In the database patient's status couldn't be changed from "Enrolled" to "Ineligible",thus this patient considered enrolled,but was not included in efficacy cohort.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
A: Erlotinib
Erlotinib in standard dose. Until progression (clinical or radiological) or unacceptable toxicity. Erlotinib: Erlotinib 150 mg/day p.o. continuously with 21 days cycle.
38
B: Docetaxel
Docetaxel in standard dose. Until progression (clinical or radiological) or unacceptable toxicity. Docetaxel: Docetaxel 75 mg/m2 as an IV infusion every 21 days.
42
Total80

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalA: ErlotinibB: Docetaxel
Age, Continuous68.7 years66.7 years70.1 years
ECOG performance status
0
27 Participants12 Participants15 Participants
ECOG performance status
1
46 Participants24 Participants22 Participants
ECOG performance status
2
7 Participants2 Participants5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
14 Participants7 Participants7 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
66 Participants31 Participants35 Participants
Smoking history
Current
28 Participants16 Participants12 Participants
Smoking history
Former (>100 cigarettes & >12 months smoke-free)
48 Participants20 Participants28 Participants
Smoking history
Never
4 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
VeriStrat status
Good
58 Participants28 Participants30 Participants
VeriStrat status
Poor
22 Participants10 Participants12 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
7 / 383 / 41
other
Total, other adverse events
36 / 3839 / 41
serious
Total, serious adverse events
7 / 3819 / 41

Outcome results

Primary

Progression-free Survival

Time from the date of randomization until documented progression or death without documented progression. Assessment of Progressive Disease (PD) based on Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.1) Target lesions:At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm.(Note: the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progression). Non-target lesions:Unequivocal progression of existing non-target lesions. (Note:the appearance of one or more new lesions is also considered progression). To achieve 'unequivocal progression', there must be an overall level of substantial worsening in non-target disease such that,even in presence of SD or PR in target disease, the overall tumour burden has increased sufficiently

Time frame: The combined run in period, treatment and follow-up for PFS is expected to extend the study duration to a total of 24 months.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
A: ErlotinibProgression-free Survival1.6 months
B: DocetaxelProgression-free Survival3.0 months
Secondary

Disease Control

Disease control is defined as achieving objective response or stable disease for at least 6 weeks.

Time frame: Same as primary outcome: 24 months

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
A: ErlotinibDisease ControlDisease Control19 Participants
A: ErlotinibDisease ControlNo Disease Control19 Participants
B: DocetaxelDisease ControlDisease Control24 Participants
B: DocetaxelDisease ControlNo Disease Control18 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Adverse Events

Adverse events classified according to NCI CTCAE version 4

Time frame: Same as primary outcome: 24 months

Population: One patient from the Docetaxel arm never started treatment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
A: ErlotinibNumber of Participants With Adverse EventsExperienced AE/SAE36 Participants
A: ErlotinibNumber of Participants With Adverse EventsNo AE/SAE2 Participants
A: ErlotinibNumber of Participants With Adverse EventsExperienced SAE7 Participants
B: DocetaxelNumber of Participants With Adverse EventsExperienced AE/SAE39 Participants
B: DocetaxelNumber of Participants With Adverse EventsNo AE/SAE2 Participants
B: DocetaxelNumber of Participants With Adverse EventsExperienced SAE19 Participants
Secondary

Objective Response

Objective response is defined as best overall response (CR or PR) across all assessment time-points according to RECIST Criteria 1.1 during the period from randomization to termination of trial treatment.

Time frame: Same as primary outcome: 24 months

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
A: ErlotinibObjective ResponsePartial response4 Participants
A: ErlotinibObjective ResponseStable Disease15 Participants
A: ErlotinibObjective ResponseProgressive Disease17 Participants
A: ErlotinibObjective ResponseNon-Evaluable2 Participants
B: DocetaxelObjective ResponseNon-Evaluable4 Participants
B: DocetaxelObjective ResponsePartial response6 Participants
B: DocetaxelObjective ResponseProgressive Disease14 Participants
B: DocetaxelObjective ResponseStable Disease18 Participants
Secondary

Overall Survival

Defined as time from the date of randomization until death from any cause.

Time frame: All patients will be followed for survival status every 12 weeks up to 24 months after the last patient is randomized

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
A: ErlotinibOverall Survival7.1 months
B: DocetaxelOverall Survival7.1 months

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 27, 2026