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Phase I Study of Ipilimumab Combined With Whole Brain Radiation Therapy or Radiosurgery for Melanoma

Phase I Study of Ipilimumab Combined With Whole Brain Radiation Therapy or Radiosurgery for Melanoma Patients With Brain Metastases

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01703507
Enrollment
17
Registered
2012-10-10
Start date
2012-11-09
Completion date
2018-04-11
Last updated
2025-05-16

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

Conditions

Recurrent Melanoma, Stage IV Melanoma, Tumors Metastatic to Brain

Brief summary

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of ipilimumab when given together with whole brain radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery in treating patients with melanoma with brain metastases. Monoclonal antibodies, such as ipilimumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of the tumor to grow and spread. Others find Tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Radiation therapy, such uses high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation to kill tumor cells. Giving radiation therapy in different ways may kill more tumor cells. Giving ipilimumab together with whole-brain radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery may kill more tumor cells.

Detailed description

Melanoma patients with brain metastases have a very poor outcome. Most patients with brain metastases will die from CNS related death. Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for patients with brain metastases for symptom palliation and survival benefit. Patients with multiple metastases are typically treated with whole brain radiation treatment (WBRT). For patients with a few metastases, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone can be used as an alternative. CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4) antibody, Ipilimumab has shown efficacy in metastatic melanoma and unresectable melanoma. Treatment with high doses of radiation therapy would result in tumor cell death, releasing tumor debris and liberating potential tumor antigens. We hypothesize that combining radiation therapy with Ipilimumab will facilitate immune recognition of these novel tumor-specific antigens, yielding a synergistic effect. Further, the hypothesis of this study is that this combination could focus the immune system on tumor antigens and minimize the aberrant immune activation in normal tissues, consequently reducing the incidence of irAE's (immune related adverse effect). Combination of radiation treatment with Ipilimumab will likely result in better local control, decrease the risk of developing new brain metastases, and improved overall survival. However, the safety profile and toxicities of combining Ipilimumab with brain radiation treatment are unknown. The current phase I study will assess the safety profile of combining different doses of Ipilimumab with standard dose radiation treatment either with WBRT or SRS. The MTD (maximum tolerated dose) will be determined, as well as a recommended phase II trial dose of Ipilimumab.

Interventions

DRUGIpilimumab

Given IV

Sponsors

Bristol-Myers Squibb
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

1. Patient age is \>= 18 years 2. Patient has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, or 1. 3. Ability to provide written informed consent obtained prior to participation in the study and any related procedures being performed 4. Patients must meet the following laboratory criteria: * WBC \>= 2000/uL * ANC \>= 1000/uL * Platelets \>= 75 x 10\^3/uL * Hemoglobin \>= 9 g/dL (\>= 80 g/L; may be transfused) * AST/ALT \<= 2.5 x ULN for patients without liver metastasis * AST/ALT \<= 5 times for liver metastases * Bilirubin \<= 2.0 x ULN, (except patients with Gilbert's Syndrome, who must have a total bilirubin less than 3.0 mg/dL) * Serum creatinine \<= 2.0 x ULN or 24-hour creatinine clearance \>= 50 ml/min * Total serum calcium (corrected for serum albumin) or ionized calcium \>= lower limit of normal (LLN) * Serum potassium \>= LLN * Serum sodium \>= LLN * Serum albumin \>= LLN or 3g/dl * Patients with any elevated Alkaline Phosphatase due to bone metastases can be enrolled 5. No active or chronic infection with HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. 6. Clinically euthyroid. Note: Patients are permitted to receive thyroid hormone supplements to treat underlying hypothyroidism. 7. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must be using an adequate method of contraception to avoid pregnancy throughout the study and for up to 26 weeks after the last dose of investigational product, in such a manner that the risk of pregnancy is minimized. WOCBP include any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone successful surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or is not post-menopausal. Post-menopause is defined as: * Amenorrhea \>= 12 consecutive months without another cause, or * For women with irregular menstrual periods and taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a documented serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level \>= 35 mIU/mL. * Women who are using oral contraceptives, other hormonal contraceptives (vaginal products, skin patches, or implanted or injectable products), or mechanical products such as an intrauterine device or barrier methods (diaphragm, condoms, spermicides) to prevent pregnancy, or are practicing abstinence or where their partner is sterile (eg, vasectomy) should be considered to be of childbearing potential. * WOCBP must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) within 72 hours before the start of ipilimumab. 8. Men of fathering potential must be using an adequate method of contraception to avoid conception throughout the study (and for up to 26 weeks after the last dose of investigational product) in such a manner that the risk of pregnancy is minimized. 9. A pathological diagnosis of melanoma is required, from either the primary or a metastasis. This also includes uveal melanoma. 10. A radiological diagnosis (CT or MRI) of one or more brain metastases is required. 11. Resolution of all acute toxic effects of prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy or surgical procedures to NCI CTCAE Version 4.0 grade \<= 1. 12. Specific eligibility criteria for the two arms * Arm A WBRT and Ipilimumab: * Patients have 5 or more brain metastases, or patients have any brain metastases exceeding the limit for SRS (maximum diameter is \> 4 cm). * OR Patient has only one brain metastasis and completely resected, the resection cavity is \> 4 cm in diameter. * Arm B SRS and Ipilimumab: * Patients have 4 or fewer brain metastases. All the brain metastases are \<= 4 cm in diameter. * Patients have only one brain metastasis and completely resected, the resection cavity is \<= 4 cm in diameter. * OR If a patient is found to have progression of brain metastases that exceed 4 cm in diameter based on the MRI scan on the time of SRS procedure, the patient should be re-assigned to WBRT arm or withdrawn from the study. The study PI should be notified. * OR If a patient is found to have progression of brain metastases that exceed 4 lesions based on the MRI scan on the time of the SRS procedure, the patient can either be treated with SRS to all the lesions (up to 10 lesions), re-assigned to WBRT arm, or withdrawn from the study per the treating physician. The study PI should be notified.

Exclusion criteria

1. Patient with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. 2. Autoimmune disease: Patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease, are excluded from this study, as are patients with a history of symptomatic disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic progressive sclerosis \[scleroderma\], systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune vasculitis \[eg, Wegener's Granulomatosis\]); motor neuropathy considered of autoimmune origin (e.g. Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis). 3. Major surgery or radiation therapy within 2 weeks of starting the study treatment. 4. If patients are receiving chemotherapy or other investigational drugs, they must be discontinued 4 weeks prior to enrollment. 5. NCI CTCAE grade 3 hemorrhage within 4 weeks of starting the study treatment. 6. Any of the following within the 6 months prior to study drug administration: myocardial infarction, severe/unstable angina, coronary/peripheral artery bypass graft, symptomatic congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, or pulmonary embolism. Patients with known cardiac disease will be required to have an ECHO or MUGA scan at baseline and at the completion of study. 7. Ongoing cardiac dysrhythmias of NCI CTCAE grade \>= 2. 8. Hypertension that cannot be controlled by medications (\>150/100 mm Hg despite optimal medical therapy). 9. Pre-existing thyroid abnormality with thyroid function that cannot be maintained in the normal range with medication. 10. Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related illness or other active infection. 11. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Female subjects must be surgically sterile or be postmenopausal, or must agree to use effective contraception during the period of therapy. All female subjects with reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test (serum or urine) prior to enrollment. Male subjects must be surgically sterile or must agree to use effective contraception during the period of therapy. The definition of effective contraception will be based on the judgment of the principal investigator or a designated associate. 12. Other severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition or laboratory abnormality that may increase the risk associated with study participation or study drug administration, or may interfere with the interpretation of study results, and in the judgment of the investigator would make the subject inappropriate for entry into this study. 13. Concomitant therapy with any of the following: IL-2, interferon, or other non-study immunotherapy regimens, cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunosuppressive agents, vermurafenib, or other investigational therapies. 14. All efforts need to be taken to avoid/minimize the use of cortical steroid during radiation period (1 week prior to start radiation, during radiation, and 1 week after finishing radiation). Any steroid used considered necessary by the treating physician should be closely documented, including medication, route of administration, dose, and duration. 15. Active infection with hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. 16. Patients who had prior brain radiation treatment. 17. Patients are excluded if they have a history of any other malignancy from which the patient has been disease-free for less than 2 years, with the exception of adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of skin, superficial bladder cancer or carcinoma in situ of cervix, AJCC (version 7.0) stage 0 or I breast cancer, AJCC (version 7.0) stage I, or II prostate cancer. 18. Patients are excluded if they have a history of autoimmune disease, as follows: Patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease are excluded from this study as are patients with a history of symptomatic disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic progressive sclerosis \[scleroderma\], Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, autoimmune vasculitis \[e.g., Wegener's Granulomatosis\]). Patients with motor neuropathy considered of autoimmune origin (e.g., Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis) are excluded. Patients with a history of autoimmune thyroiditis are eligible if their current thyroid disorder is treated and stable with replacement or other medical therapy. 19. Patients who are allergic to Ipilimumab. 20. Patients who received ipilimumab before. 21. Patients who are allergic to MRI contrast agent or have contraindication for MRI.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of Ipilimumab30 days following the completion of radiation therapy(MTD) when combined with WBRT or SRS, defined as the last dose studied or the previous dose, based on clinical judgment of the degree of toxicity seen at the last dose

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of Developing New Brain Metastases in Each ArmUp to 5 years
Number of Subjects With Response of Extracranial DiseaseUp to 5 yearsExtracranial disease is assessed through repeated computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The purpose of this scan is to determine if there is any evidence of disease outside of the brain.
Overall Survival (OS) RateUp to 5 years
Number of Patients With Progression Free Survival (PFS) RateUp to 5 yearsPFS rate based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and immune-related response criteria (irRC) criteria based on the brain MRI and systematic assessment by the treating physician
Number of Participants With Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events4 weeks following the last dose of ipilimumab

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Arm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)
Patients receive ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes once in weeks 1, 4, 7, and 10. Patients also undergo WBRT 5 days a week in weeks 1-2. Ipilimumab: Given IV Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy (WBRT): Undergo WBRT
6
Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)
Patients receive ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes as in Arm A. Patients also undergo SRS on day 1 in week 1. Ipilimumab: Given IV Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): Undergo SRS
11
Total17

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicArm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
5 Participants3 Participants8 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
1 Participants8 Participants9 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
6 Participants11 Participants17 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
6 Participants11 Participants17 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
6 participants11 participants17 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
2 Participants3 Participants5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants8 Participants12 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
3 / 53 / 11
other
Total, other adverse events
2 / 54 / 11
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 54 / 11

Outcome results

Primary

Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of Ipilimumab

(MTD) when combined with WBRT or SRS, defined as the last dose studied or the previous dose, based on clinical judgment of the degree of toxicity seen at the last dose

Time frame: 30 days following the completion of radiation therapy

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Arm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of Ipilimumab3 mg/kg
Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of Ipilimumab10 mg/kg
Secondary

Number of Participants With Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events

Time frame: 4 weeks following the last dose of ipilimumab

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Arm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)Number of Participants With Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events1 Participants
Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)Number of Participants With Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events4 Participants
Secondary

Number of Patients With Progression Free Survival (PFS) Rate

PFS rate based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and immune-related response criteria (irRC) criteria based on the brain MRI and systematic assessment by the treating physician

Time frame: Up to 5 years

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Arm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)Number of Patients With Progression Free Survival (PFS) Rate3 Participants
Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)Number of Patients With Progression Free Survival (PFS) Rate3 Participants
Secondary

Number of Subjects With Response of Extracranial Disease

Extracranial disease is assessed through repeated computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The purpose of this scan is to determine if there is any evidence of disease outside of the brain.

Time frame: Up to 5 years

Population: Of the enrolled participants, only 4 out of 5 participants on Arm A and 9 out of 11 participants on Arm B had Extracranial Disease. Only these participants were included in this analysis

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Arm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)Number of Subjects With Response of Extracranial Disease0 Participants
Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)Number of Subjects With Response of Extracranial Disease5 Participants
Secondary

Overall Survival (OS) Rate

Time frame: Up to 5 years

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Arm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)Overall Survival (OS) Rate8 months
Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)Overall Survival (OS) Rate10.5 months
Secondary

Rate of Developing New Brain Metastases in Each Arm

Time frame: Up to 5 years

Population: Of the enrolled participants, only 7 developed new Brain Metastases (BMs) and were included in this analysis.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Arm A (Ipilimumab and Whole Brain Radiation Therapy)Rate of Developing New Brain Metastases in Each Arm8.2 months
Arm B (Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery)Rate of Developing New Brain Metastases in Each Arm1.9 months

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 10, 2026