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An Investigational Immuno-therapy Trial of Nivolumab, or Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab, or Nivolumab Plus Platinum-doublet Chemotherapy, Compared to Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy in Patients With Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

An Open-Label, Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Nivolumab, or Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab, or Nivolumab Plus Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy Versus Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy in Subjects With Chemotherapy-Naïve Stage IV or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02477826
Acronym
CheckMate 227
Enrollment
2747
Registered
2015-06-23
Start date
2015-08-05
Completion date
2024-10-25
Last updated
2025-10-30

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

Conditions

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to show that Nivolumab, or Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab, or Nivolumab plus Platinum-Doublet Chemotherapy improves progression free survival and/or overall survival compared with chemotherapy in patients with advanced lung cancer.

Interventions

DRUGNivolumab
DRUGIpilimumab
DRUGCarboplatin
DRUGCisplatin
DRUGGemcitabine
DRUGPemetrexed
DRUGPaclitaxel

Sponsors

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

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

* Subjects with histologically confirmed Stage IV or recurrent NSCLC squamous or non-squamous histology, with no prior systemic anticancer therapy * Subjects must have programmed death-ligand 1 (PD -L1) immunohistochemical (IHC) testing, with results, performed by the central lab during the Screening period * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of ≤ 1 * Measurable disease by CT or MRI per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) criteria

Exclusion criteria

* Subjects with untreated Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are excluded * Subjects with an active, known or suspected autoimmune disease are excluded * Any positive test for hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) indicating acute or chronic infection Other protocol defined inclusion/

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Progression-Free Survival Per BICRFrom randomization untill disease progression or death, whichever occurs first (up to approximately 481 weeks)Progression-Free Survival then (PFS) is defined as the time between the date of randomization and the date of first documented disease progression, based on BICR assessments (per RECIST v1.1), or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first based on Kaplan-Meier estimates. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum during the 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.
Overall SurvivalFrom randomization untill death or last follow up whichever occurs first (up to approximately 481 weeks)OS for all randomized participants is the time between randomization date and the date of death from any cause.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICRFrom randomization untill disease progression or death, whichever occurs first (up to approximately 481 weeks)Objective response rate (ORR) is defined as the number of participants who achieve a best overall response (BOR) of confirmed complete response (CR) or confirmed partial response (PR), based on blinded independent central review (BICR) assessments using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), divided by the number of all randomized participants. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \\\< 10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.
Percentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom ScaleWeek 12The Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) is a disease measure of quality of life which evaluates six major lung cancer symptoms and their effect on overall distress and symptom severity, impact on day-to-day activities, and overall quality of life. This patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire assesses the following 6 symptoms items (appetite loss, fatigue, cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, pain) and 3 summary global items (symptom distress, activity level, overall quality of life) for patients using visual analogue scales (VAS) (100 mm horizontal line) ranging from 0 (best rating) to 100 (worst rating). The LCSS average total score is sum of items 1 to 9 divided by the total number of items ((sum of items 1 to 9)/9) ranging from 0 to 100 where high score represent worst outcome. Disease-Related Symptom Deterioration by Week 12 defined as a 10 points or more increase from baseline in LCSS average score at any time (on or off-treatment) up to 95 days from randomization date.

Countries

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Part 1-Arm B: Nivo + Ipi
Participants with PD-L1 positive status Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received nivolumab 3 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes Q2W + ipilimumab 1 mg/kg over 30minutes every 6 weeks (Q6W) given for up to 24 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
396
Part 1-Arm A: Nivolumab
Participants with PD-L1 positive status Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received nivolumab 240 mg intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes every 2 weeks (Q2W) given for up to 24months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
396
Part 1-Arm C: Chemotherapy
Participants with PD-L1 positive status Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received histology-based platinum-doublet chemotherapy IV in3-week cycles for a maximum of 4 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (whichever comes first). For participants with NSQ histology, pemetrexed maintenance was allowed until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity after 4 cycles of chemotherapy.
397
Part 1-Arm D: Nivo + Ipi
Participants with PD-L1 negative status Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received nivolumab 3 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes Q2W + ipilimumab 1 mg/kg over 30minutes Q6W given for up to 24 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
187
Part 1-Arm G: Nivo + Chemo
Participants with PD-L1 negative status Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received nivolumab 360 mg IV over 30 minutes combined with platinum-doublet chemotherapy administered IV every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 cycles. Participants who have not experienced disease progression were to receive nivolumab 360 mg every 3weeks until the progression of disease, discontinuation due to toxicity, or up to 24 months (whichever comes first). For subjects with NSQ histology, pemetrexed maintenance was allowed until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity after 4 cycles of chemotherapy.
177
Part 1-Arm F: Chemotherapy
Participants with PD-L1 negative status Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received histology-based platinum-doublet chemotherapy IV in 3-week cycles for a maximum of 4 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (whichever comes first). For participants with NSQ histology, pemetrexed maintenance was allowed until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity after 4 cycles of chemotherapy.
186
Part 2 - Arm H: Nivolumab + Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy-naive participants with stage IV or recurrent NSCLC irrespective of PD-L1 expressing levels received nivolumab 360 mg IV over 30 minutes combined with platinum-doublet chemotherapy administered IV every 3 weeks for a maximum of 4 cycles. Participants who have not experienced disease progression were to receive nivolumab 360 mg every 3weeks until the progression of disease, discontinuation due to toxicity, or up to 24 months (whichever comes first). For subjects with NSQ histology, pemetrexed maintenance was allowed until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity after 4 cycles of chemotherapy.
377
Part 2 - Arm I: Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy-naive participants with stage IV or recurrent NSCLC irrespective of PD-L1 expressing levels received histology-based platinum-doublet chemotherapy IV in 3-week cycles for a maximum of 4 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (whichever comes first). For participants with NSQ histology, pemetrexed maintenance was allowed until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity after 4 cycles of chemotherapy.
378
Part 3 -Arm J: Nivolumab + Ipilimumab
Participants in China with PD-L1 Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received nivolumab 3 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes Q2W + ipilimumab 1 mg/kg over 30minutes every 6 weeks (Q6W) given for up to 24 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
126
Part 3 - Arm K: Chemotherapy
Participants in China with PD-L1 Non Small Cell Lung Cancer received histology-based platinum-doublet chemotherapy IV in3-week cycles for a maximum of 4 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (whichever comes first). For participants with NSQ histology, pemetrexed maintenance was allowed until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity after 4 cycles of chemotherapy.
127
Total2,747

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003FG004FG005FG006FG007FG008FG009
Pre-TreatmentAdverse events unrelated to study drug0121001500
Pre-TreatmentDeath0000001000
Pre-TreatmentOther reasons4141420000
Pre-TreatmentSubject no longer meets study criteria1210100100
Pre-TreatmentSubject request to discontinue study treatment0100000001
Pre-TreatmentSubject withdrew consent0030010103
Treatment PeriodAdministrative reason by sponsor0300000000
Treatment PeriodAdverse event unrelated to study drug232922181115251942
Treatment PeriodDeath4700126590
Treatment PeriodDisease progression21224020293113962081955946
Treatment PeriodLost to Follow-up0011002200
Treatment PeriodMaximum Clinical Benefit3311303222
Treatment PeriodNot reported86442114852
Treatment PeriodOther0000000001
Treatment PeriodOther reasons561275188211
Treatment PeriodParticipant meet no longer study criteria1100110100
Treatment PeriodParticipant request to discontinue treatment53155361315418
Treatment PeriodParticipant withdrew Consent5533133323
Treatment PeriodPoor/Non Compliance1020011001
Treatment PeriodPregnancy0000000001
Treatment PeriodStudy Drug Toxicity7951313912255230209

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPart 1-Arm A: NivolumabPart 1-Arm C: ChemotherapyPart 1-Arm D: Nivo + IpiPart 1-Arm G: Nivo + ChemoPart 1-Arm F: ChemotherapyPart 1-Arm B: Nivo + IpiPart 2 - Arm H: Nivolumab + ChemotherapyPart 2 - Arm I: ChemotherapyPart 3 -Arm J: Nivolumab + IpilimumabPart 3 - Arm K: ChemotherapyTotal
Age, Customized
< 65
210 Participants207 Participants107 Participants91 Participants98 Participants199 Participants214 Participants196 Participants82 Participants84 Participants1488 Participants
Age, Customized
=>65
186 Participants190 Participants80 Participants86 Participants88 Participants197 Participants163 Participants182 Participants44 Participants43 Participants1259 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants0 Participants1 Participants4 Participants3 Participants1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants13 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
67 Participants82 Participants41 Participants38 Participants45 Participants84 Participants93 Participants94 Participants126 Participants127 Participants797 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black
6 Participants5 Participants0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants4 Participants1 Participants3 Participants0 Participants0 Participants23 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Native Hawaiian or other pacific islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Other
6 Participants3 Participants1 Participants1 Participants5 Participants5 Participants8 Participants12 Participants0 Participants0 Participants41 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
317 Participants305 Participants143 Participants136 Participants133 Participants299 Participants272 Participants266 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1871 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
124 Participants137 Participants49 Participants47 Participants61 Participants141 Participants113 Participants115 Participants18 Participants20 Participants825 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
272 Participants260 Participants138 Participants130 Participants125 Participants255 Participants264 Participants263 Participants108 Participants107 Participants1922 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
EG004
affected / at risk
EG005
affected / at risk
EG006
affected / at risk
EG007
affected / at risk
EG008
affected / at risk
EG009
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
316 / 391333 / 391339 / 387159 / 185157 / 172174 / 183314 / 375335 / 37195 / 12694 / 123
other
Total, other adverse events
366 / 391356 / 391361 / 387172 / 185167 / 172165 / 183357 / 375345 / 371124 / 126121 / 123
serious
Total, serious adverse events
275 / 391239 / 391213 / 387128 / 185112 / 17291 / 183240 / 375180 / 37178 / 12660 / 123

Outcome results

Primary

Overall Survival

OS for all randomized participants is the time between randomization date and the date of death from any cause.

Time frame: From randomization untill death or last follow up whichever occurs first (up to approximately 481 weeks)

Population: All randomized participants

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Part 1-Arm B: Nivo + IpiOverall Survival17.12 months
Part 1-Arm A: NivolumabOverall Survival15.70 months
Part 1-Arm C: ChemotherapyOverall Survival14.88 months
Part 1-Arm D: Nivo + IpiOverall Survival17.45 months
Part 1-Arm G: Nivo + ChemoOverall Survival15.21 months
Part 1-Arm F: ChemotherapyOverall Survival12.19 months
Part 2 - Arm H: Nivolumab + ChemotherapyOverall Survival18.27 months
Part 2 - Arm I: ChemotherapyOverall Survival14.72 months
Part 3 -Arm J: Nivolumab + IpilimumabOverall Survival20.99 months
Part 3 - Arm K: ChemotherapyOverall Survival15.11 months
95% CI: [0.67, 0.91]
95% CI: [0.78, 1.05]
95% CI: [0.74, 1.01]
95% CI: [0.51, 0.79]
95% CI: [0.63, 0.96]
95% CI: [0.64, 0.87]
95% CI: [0.64, 1.14]
Primary

Progression-Free Survival Per BICR

Progression-Free Survival then (PFS) is defined as the time between the date of randomization and the date of first documented disease progression, based on BICR assessments (per RECIST v1.1), or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first based on Kaplan-Meier estimates. Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum during the 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.

Time frame: From randomization untill disease progression or death, whichever occurs first (up to approximately 481 weeks)

Population: All randomized participants

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Part 1-Arm B: Nivo + IpiProgression-Free Survival Per BICR5.06 months
Part 1-Arm A: NivolumabProgression-Free Survival Per BICR4.17 months
Part 1-Arm C: ChemotherapyProgression-Free Survival Per BICR5.55 months
Part 1-Arm D: Nivo + IpiProgression-Free Survival Per BICR4.90 months
Part 1-Arm G: Nivo + ChemoProgression-Free Survival Per BICR5.55 months
Part 1-Arm F: ChemotherapyProgression-Free Survival Per BICR4.70 months
Part 2 - Arm H: Nivolumab + ChemotherapyProgression-Free Survival Per BICR8.34 months
Part 2 - Arm I: ChemotherapyProgression-Free Survival Per BICR5.52 months
Part 3 -Arm J: Nivolumab + IpilimumabProgression-Free Survival Per BICR5.78 months
Part 3 - Arm K: ChemotherapyProgression-Free Survival Per BICR5.49 months
95% CI: [0.67, 0.93]
95% CI: [0.81, 1.12]
95% CI: [0.72, 0.99]
95% CI: [0.6, 0.97]
95% CI: [0.59, 0.93]
95% CI: [0.52, 0.72]
95% CI: [0.49, 0.89]
Secondary

Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR

Objective response rate (ORR) is defined as the number of participants who achieve a best overall response (BOR) of confirmed complete response (CR) or confirmed partial response (PR), based on blinded independent central review (BICR) assessments using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), divided by the number of all randomized participants. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (whether target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to \\\< 10 mm. Partial Response (PR): At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters.

Time frame: From randomization untill disease progression or death, whichever occurs first (up to approximately 481 weeks)

Population: All randomized participants

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Part 1-Arm B: Nivo + IpiObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR36.4 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm A: NivolumabObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR27.5 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm C: ChemotherapyObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR29.7 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm D: Nivo + IpiObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR26.2 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm G: Nivo + ChemoObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR37.9 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm F: ChemotherapyObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR23.1 percentage of participants
Part 2 - Arm H: Nivolumab + ChemotherapyObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR52.3 percentage of participants
Part 2 - Arm I: ChemotherapyObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR29.9 percentage of participants
Part 3 -Arm J: Nivolumab + IpilimumabObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR38.1 percentage of participants
Part 3 - Arm K: ChemotherapyObjective Response Rate (ORR) Per BICR30.7 percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale

The Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) is a disease measure of quality of life which evaluates six major lung cancer symptoms and their effect on overall distress and symptom severity, impact on day-to-day activities, and overall quality of life. This patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire assesses the following 6 symptoms items (appetite loss, fatigue, cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, pain) and 3 summary global items (symptom distress, activity level, overall quality of life) for patients using visual analogue scales (VAS) (100 mm horizontal line) ranging from 0 (best rating) to 100 (worst rating). The LCSS average total score is sum of items 1 to 9 divided by the total number of items ((sum of items 1 to 9)/9) ranging from 0 to 100 where high score represent worst outcome. Disease-Related Symptom Deterioration by Week 12 defined as a 10 points or more increase from baseline in LCSS average score at any time (on or off-treatment) up to 95 days from randomization date.

Time frame: Week 12

Population: All randomized participants

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Part 1-Arm B: Nivo + IpiPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale31.3 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm A: NivolumabPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale35.4 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm C: ChemotherapyPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale25.7 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm D: Nivo + IpiPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale33.2 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm G: Nivo + ChemoPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale28.8 percentage of participants
Part 1-Arm F: ChemotherapyPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale37.6 percentage of participants
Part 2 - Arm H: Nivolumab + ChemotherapyPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale30.0 percentage of participants
Part 2 - Arm I: ChemotherapyPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale24.3 percentage of participants
Part 3 -Arm J: Nivolumab + IpilimumabPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale23.0 percentage of participants
Part 3 - Arm K: ChemotherapyPercentage of Participants With Symptom Deterioration at Week 12 Assessed Via Lung Cancer Symptom Scale26.0 percentage of participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 13, 2026