A Phase II Platform Trial of Perioperative Therapies in Locally Advanced Unresectable Gastric Cancer (Neo-VIKTORY)
A Phase II Platform Trial of Perioperative Therapies in Locally Advanced Unresectable Gastric Cancer (Neo-VIKTORY)
Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer, with over one million cases diagnosed annually worldwide. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression in GC (seen in 4.4% to 53.4% of patients in different reports) is predictive biomarker of response to HER2-targeting therapies.
Trastuzumab in combination with cisplatin or oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine (capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]), is approved anti-HER2 therapy for first-line treatment of HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer.
Rilvegostomig 750 mg Q3W was selected as recommended Phase 2 dose based on all available ARTEMIDE-01 clinical safety, efficacy, PK, RO data as well as modeling analysis. The dose of 750 mg Q3W is predicted to achieve intra-tumoral RO of ≥ 90% in the majority of participants across a broad spectrum of conditions.
This is a phase II study to initially assess the efficacy of perioperative Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd) and Capecitabine combination with or without Rilvegostomig in patients with HER2 positive locally advanced unresectable GC and potentially by subsequent protocol amendment in HER2 low locally advanced GC. Other agents may also subsequently be assessed in this protocol, by protocol amendments .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Therefore, these studies provide robust evidence that immune checkpoint inhibitors plus chemotherapy, specifically the perioperative durvalumab plus FLOT regimen, can increase pCR rate and significantly improve long-term survival outcomes for patients with resectable gastric, GEJ, or esophageal cancer.
Neoadjuvant therapy will begin following completion of the screening period, and patients will undergo resection surgery 4 to 8 weeks after the last dose of neoadjuvant therapy. Surgery >8 weeks after the last dose of neoadjuvant therapy may be permitted in consultation with the Sponsor. Adjuvant therapy will begin 4 to 12weeks post-surgery (based on the patient's recovery period).
Tumor evaluation using modified RECIST 1.1 will be conducted at screening (within 28 days prior to first dose) and ≤28 days after last dose of neoadjuvant therapy and after surgery.
Every 12 weeks (±1 week) relative to the Adjuvant Baseline scan for first years and then every 24 weeks (±2 week) until progression/recurrence
The imaging modalities used for modified RECIST 1.1 assessment will be CT or MRI scans of chest, abdomen and pelvis. Modified RECIST 1.1 scans will be analyzed by the investigator on site.
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The MATTERHORN study also reported a similar pCR improvement, from 7% to 19% with durvalumab plus FLOT regimen vs FLOT alone (Janjigian et al 2023). Building upon these pathological findings, updated results from the MATTERHORN study have now confirmed a clinically meaningful survival benefit. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in event-free survival (EFS), with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.58-0.86; p < 0.001), representing a 29% reduction in the risk of progression, recurrence, or death. Furthermore, the overall survival (OS) data presented at ESMO 2025 showed a 22% reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.78; p = 0.021), with a 36-month OS rate of 68.6% in the durvalumab arm compared to 61.9% in the placebo arm. Importantly, the addition of durvalumab did not compromise surgical feasibility or increase the incidence of severe treatment-related adverse events.
Inclusion Criteria:
Provision of fully informed consent prior to any study specific procedures.
Patients must be ≥ 19 years of age
Have a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks
Body weight > 30kg( > 35kg for Rilvegostomig)
Has a Pathologically documented adenocarcinoma of gastric or gastroesophageal junction with HER2 IHC results.
In Cohort A＆B, HER2 positive (HER2 IHC 3+ or HER2 IHC 2+/ISH positive) In Cohort C＆D, CLDN18.2 positive
Locally advanced unresectable disease by physician's discretion (ex. cT4 or bulky Nx node or localized peritoneal seeding) No evident distant organ metastasis.
ECOG performance status PS 0-1 with no deterioration between screening and the first dose of study treatment.
Has LVEF ≥ 50% by either echocardiogram (ECHO) or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan within 28 days before treatment
Has measurable target disease assessed by the Investigator based on RECIST version 1.1 before surgery.
Has adequate organ and bone marrow, liver and renal function within 14 days before treatment Note: Transfusion (red blood cell or platelet) or G-CSF administration is not allowed within 14 days prior to the day on which bone marrow function is assessed, or at any time after this day and prior to C1D1.
-Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
-Platelet count ≥100 x 109/L
-Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 109/L
-Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 ULN if no liver metastases < 3×ULN in the presence of documented Gilbert's syndrome (unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia) at baseline
Female patients must be using a highly effective method of contraception (refer to the restrictions on P45) during the clinical trial and for 7 months after permanent discontinuation of the study drug. There must be evidence that patients are not breastfeeding, have a negative pregnancy test, or not of childbearing potential by meeting one of the following criteria at screening:
Also female participants must not breastfeed and must not donate/retrieve ova from screening to 60 days post last dose in Rilvegostomig, or 7months after last Sone-Ve dose.
13. Non-sterilized male patients who are sexually active with a female partner of childbearing potential must use a condom with spermicide from screening to 4 months after the final dose of IMP in Rilvegostomig, or 7months after last Sone-Ve or durvalumab dose. Complete heterosexual abstinence for the duration of the study and drug washout period is an acceptable contraceptive method if it is in line with the patient's usual lifestyle (consideration must be made to the duration of the clinical trial); however, periodic or occasional abstinence, the rhythm method, and the withdrawal method are not acceptable. It is strongly recommended for the female partners of a male patient to also use at least one highly effective method of contraception throughout this period. In addition, male patients should refrain from fathering a child, or freezing or donating sperm from the time of randomisation/enrolment, throughout the study and for 4 months after the last dose of IMP in Rilvegostomig, or 7months after last Sone-Ve dose or durvalumab dose. Preservation of sperm should be considered prior to enrollment in this study.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with evident peritoneal metastasis (including tumor cells in peritoneal fluid) or distant metastasis 2. Known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency based on either local or central laboratory testing. Central laboratory testing will be available for patients where testing is SOC and with unknown DPD status.
3. CNS metastases or CNS pathology including epilepsy, seizures, aphasia, or stroke within 3 months prior to consent, severe brain injury, dementia, Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cerebellar disease, severe uncontrolled mental illness, psychosis, and CNS involvement of autoimmune diseases.
4. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, uncontrolled hypertension, serious chronic gastrointestinal conditions associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea unstable or active peptic ulcer disease or digestive tract bleeding, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirement, substantially increase risk of incurring AEs, or compromise the ability of the participant to give written informed consent.
5. Unresolved toxicities of including but not limited to peripheral neuropathy, sensory or motor ≥ Grade 2 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] v5.0) from prior therapy (excluding vitiligo, alopecia, endocrine disorders that are controlled with replacement hormone therapy, asymptomatic laboratory abnormalities).
6. History of organ transplant. 7. Active primary immunodeficiency(or history of active primary immunodeficiency)/active infectious diseases. Active or prior documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (including IBD [e.g. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis], SLE, sarcoidosis syndrome, tuberculosis, Wegener syndrome, myasthenia gravis, Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypophysitis, uveitis, at screening, , that requires use of immunosuppressives, glomerulonephritis, nephritic syndrome, Fanconi Syndrome or renal tubular acidosis within the past 2 years prior to the start of treatment. The following are exceptions to this criterion:
Subjects with vitiligo or alopecia, hypothyroidism (eg, following Hashimoto syndrome) stable on hormone replacement or psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment; patients with coeliac disease controlled by diet alone and patients without active disease in the last 5 years may be included after consultation with Chief Investigator.
8. History of drug induced (non-infectious) ILD/pneumonitis requiring oral or intravenous steroids, current ILD/pneumonitis, or where suspected ILD/pneumonitis cannot be ruled out by imaging at screening.
9. Active hepatitis B (HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] positive) or active hepatitis C. Virus testing is not essential for clinical trial feasiblity assessment. Patients who have had or have resolved HBV infection or HCV infection in the past may participate in clinical trials. Note: For HBsAg-, patient needs to be >6 months off antiviral treatment 10. Participants with past or resolved HBV infection are eligible only if they meet all of the following criteria*:
• Anti-HBc (+) (IgG or total Ig),
• HBV DNA undetectable,
• Absence of cirrhosis or fibrosis on prior imaging or biopsy,
Absence of HCV co-infection or history of HCV co-infection.
Access to a local Hepatitis B expert during and after the study. Such participants should be closely monitored for HBV reactivation. . Consideration should be given to exclusion of all participants with HBV infection if comparator or combination study treatments are associated with a high risk of HBV infection reactivation are incompatible with anti-viral medications.
11. Known to have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (positive HIV 1/2 antibodies) or active tuberculosis infection (clinical evaluation that may include clinical history, physical examination and radiographic findings, or tuberculosis testing in line with local practice). Active or prior documented history of primary immunodeficiency at screening. And HIV infection that is not well controlled. All of the following criteria are required to define an HIV infection that is well controlled: A. undetectable viral RNA for 6 months, B. CD4+ count >350 cells/μL, C. no history of AIDS-defining opportunistic infection within the past 12 months, and stable for at least 4 weeks in Rilvegostomig, or 6 months in Sone-Ve on the same anti-HIV medications (meaning there are no expected further changes in that time to the number or type of antiretroviral drugs in the regimen).
If an HIV infection meets the above criteria, monitoring of viral RNA load and CD4+ count is recommended. Participants must be tested for HIV if acceptable by local regulations or an institutional IRB/IEC.
12. Patient with any of the following cardiac criteria:
Mean QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) ≥ 470 ms calculated from electrogram (ECG) using Friderecia's correction
Any clinically important abnormalities in rhythm, conduction or morphology of resting ECG e.g. complete left bundle branch block, third degree heart block, second degree heart block, PR Interval >250 msec.
Any factors that increase the risk of QTc prolongation or risk of arrhythmic events such as heart failure, uncorrectable chronic hypokalaemia, congenital long QT syndrome, family history (first-degree relatives) of long QT syndrome or unexplained sudden death under 40 years of age or concomitant medication known to prolong the QT interval
Uncontrolled hypotension: systolic BP < 90 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 60 mmHg or clinically relevant orthostatic hypotension, including a fall in blood pressure of > 20 mmHg
Atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate >100 bpm on ECG at rest
Symptomatic congestive heart failure (NYHA grade II-IV)
Known reduced LVEF < 55%
Prior or current cardiomyopathy of any etiology
Prior or current acute myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
Severe valvular heart disease
Uncontrolled angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society grade II-IV despite medical terapy)
Stroke or transient ischaemic attack in prior to screening
Acute coronary syndrome within 6 months prior to starting treatment 13. Female patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding or male or female patients of reproductive potential who are not willing to employ effective birth control from screening to 7 months after the last dose of Trastuzumab deruxtecan and Capecitabine or Rilvegostomig.
14. Any investigational agents or study interventions from a previous clinical study: 28 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is shorter).
15. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or any of the study drug excipients.
16. Current or prior use of immunosuppressive medication within 14 days before the first dose of investigational product is excluded.
The following are exceptions to this criterion:
Intranasal, inhaled, topical steroids, or local steroid injections (e.g., intraarticular injection).
Systemic corticosteroids at physiological doses not to exceed 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent.
Steroids as premedication for hypersensitivity/infusion reactions And: Receipt of live attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study intervention.
Note: Participants should not receive live vaccine while receiving study intervention and up to -90 days after the last dose of study intervention.
17. (For Rilvegostomig): Serious chronic gastrointestinal conditions associated with diarrhea (e.g., active inflammatory bowel disease); active non-infectious skin disease (including any grade rash, urticarial, dermatitis, ulceration, or psoriasis) requiring systemic treatment, active or prior documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders requiring chronic treatment with steroids or other immunosuppressive treatment.
18. (For Sone-Ve): History of thromboembolic events within the past 3 months prior to the scheduled first dose of study intervention. Participants with venous thromboembolism, who either do not require treatment or who have already been stable on treatment with anticoagulants for 3 months or longer prior to start of study intervention may be enrolled and should be closely monitored.
Acute coronary syndrome/acute myocardial infarction/unstable angina pectoris +/- coronary intervention with PCI/CABG
D-Dimer > 2 ULN considering thromboembolic events as potential risks 19. (For Sone-Ve): Uncontrolled hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg) Participant has known clinically significant corneal disease (e.g., active keratitis or corneal ulcerations).
20. (For Sone-Ve): Major surgical procedure (as defined by the Investigator) within 28 days prior to the first dose of IP. Note: Local surgery of isolated lesions for palliative intent is acceptable.
21. (For Sone -Ve): Uncontrolled diabetes or diabetic neuropathy within 3 months prior to randomization 22. (For Sone-Ve): Peripheral neuropathy, sensory or monitor ≥ CTCAE Grade 2 at screening
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