T-Cell Repertoire Sequencing: Assessing Pembrolizumab Efficacy in Advanced Non-small Lung Cancer

T-Cell Repertoire Sequencing: Assessing Pembrolizumab Efficacy in Advanced Non-small Lung Cancer

This is a single site, non-randomized trial for the assessment of intravenous (IV) pembrolizumab (also known as MK-3475) combined with pemetrexed/platinum-based chemotherapy in subjects with advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not previously received systemic therapy for advanced disease and in whom directed therapy is not indicated. Approximately 30 subjects will be enrolled in this trial to examine the clonality and diversity dynamics matched with disease response evaluated by RECIST 1.1.

Subjects will receive pembrolizumab 200 mg combined with pemetrexed and platinum (investigator's choice of cisplatin or carboplatin), as indicated below:

Pembrolizumab 200 mg + pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 (with vitamin supplementation) + cisplatin 75 mg/m2 OR carboplatin AUC 5, all on Day 1 every 3 weeks (Q3W) for 4 cycles followed by pembrolizumab 200 mg + pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 Q3W until progression.

Treatment with pembrolizumab and pemetrexed will continue until 35 trial treatments have been administered, documented disease progression or unacceptable adverse event(s).

Patients will be stratified according to clinical and histopathological parameters: 1. PD-L1 status (PD-L1 >/= 1 or <1) 2. Age < 65 vs => 65 3. Smoking history yes vs no 4. Platinum chemotherapy: cisplatin vs. carboplatin 5. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

TCR repertoire clonality and diversity will serve as an assessment measure for treatment response, along with PET/CT-scans, tumor exomal profile and ctDNA dynamics.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant (or legally acceptable representative if applicable) provides written informed consent for the trial.
• Have measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1. Lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if progression has been demonstrated in such lesions.
• Archival tumor tissue sample or newly obtained [core, incisional or excisional] biopsy of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated has been provided.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 1.
• Adequate organ function.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Aberration in a known targetable molecular driver.
• Received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti PD L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor.
• Received prior systemic anti-cancer therapy for metastatic disease.
• Received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention.
• Major surgery within 14 days.
• Diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy.
• Known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years.
• Known active CNS metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Participants with previously treated or asymptomatic brain metastases may participate provided they are radiologically stable.