Anti-programmed-death-receptor-1 treatment with pembrolizumab in ipilimumab-refractory advanced melanoma: A randomised dose-comparison cohort of a phase 1 trial Journal Article


Authors: Robert, C.; Ribas, A.; Wolchok, J. D.; Hodi, F. S.; Hamid, O.; Kefford, R.; Weber, J. S.; Joshua, A. M.; Hwu, W. J.; Gangadhar, T. C.; Patnaik, A.; Dronca, R.; Zarour, H.; Joseph, R. W.; Boasberg, P.; Chmielowski, B.; Mateus, C.; Postow, M. A.; Gergich, K.; Elassaiss-Schaap, J.; Li, X. N.; Iannone, R.; Ebbinghaus, S. W.; Kang, S. P.; Daud, A.
Article Title: Anti-programmed-death-receptor-1 treatment with pembrolizumab in ipilimumab-refractory advanced melanoma: A randomised dose-comparison cohort of a phase 1 trial
Abstract: Background: The anti-programmed-death-receptor-1 (PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab has shown potent antitumour activity at different doses and schedules in patients with melanoma. We compared the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab at doses of 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks in patients with ipilimumab-refractory advanced melanoma. Methods: In an open-label, international, multicentre expansion cohort of a phase 1 trial, patients (aged ≥18 years) with advanced melanoma whose disease had progressed after at least two ipilimumab doses were randomly assigned with a computer-generated allocation schedule (1:1 final ratio) to intravenous pembrolizumab at 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks or 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or consent withdrawal. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) assessed with the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST, version 1.1) by independent central review. Analysis was done on the full-analysis set (all treated patients with measurable disease at baseline). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01295827. Findings 173 patients received pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg (n=89) or 10 mg/kg (n=84). Median follow-up duration was 8 months. ORR was 26% at both doses - 21 of 81 patients in the 2 mg/kg group and 20 of 76 in the 10 mg/kg group (difference 0%, 95% CI -14 to 13; p=0·96). Treatment was well tolerated, with similar safety profiles in the 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg groups and no drug-related deaths. The most common drug-related adverse events of any grade in the 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg groups were fatigue (29 [33%] vs 31 [37%]), pruritus (23 [26%] vs 16 [19%]), and rash (16 [18%] vs 15 [18%]). Grade 3 fatigue, reported in five (3%) patients in the 2 mg/kg pembrolizumab group, was the only drug-related grade 3 to 4 adverse event reported in more than one patient. Interpretation The results suggest that pembrolizumab at a dose of 2 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks might be an effective treatment in patients for whom there are few effective treatment options.
Journal Title: Lancet
Volume: 384
Issue: 9948
ISSN: 0140-6736
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 2014-09-20
Start Page: 1109
End Page: 1117
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(14)60958-2
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 25034862
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 1 December 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Jedd D Wolchok
    905 Wolchok
  2. Michael Andrew Postow
    361 Postow