Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, NSCLC, HCC (Child Pugh Class A only), MSI-High solid tumors, Urothelial Cancer, GE junction/Gastric Adenocarcinoma, or HNSCC for which current standard of care treatment for their stage of disease would be with Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab monotherapy, who meet eligibility criteria will undergo a biopsy (core or excisional/incisional; FNA not adequate) for baseline tissue. Patients will then be randomized to one of 3 arms: Anti-PD-1 mAb plus Metformin 500mg po BID, Anti-PD-1 mAb alone, Anti-PD-1 mAb plus Rosiglitazone 4mg po qdaily. Five weeks (+/- 7 days) after initiation of therapy a patient will undergo a repeat biopsy (core or excisional/incisional; FNA not adequate) for correlative analysis. The patient will then continue on study therapy for up to 2 years, or until progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity, whichever occurs first. RECIST 1.1 with modifications, to allow for continued therapy until progressive disease is confirmed if the patient is clinically stable, will be used in the trial.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, NSCLC, HCC (Child Pugh Class A only), MSI-High solid tumors, Urothelial Cancer, GE junction/Gastric Adenocarcinoma, or HNSCC for which current standard of care treatment for their stage of disease would be with Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab monotherapy.
Accessible tumor for pretreatment (baseline) and post treatment biopsy. Tumor must be accessible for core or surgical biopsy (excisional/incisional), FNA is not adequate
Age ≥ 18 years
Have at least one measurable area of disease (Target Lesion) based on RECIST 1.1.
Treatment with prior anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 mAb therapy
Patients with type I DM or any patient who has received metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas, or thiazolidinediones within 60 days of start of study treatment for any reason.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must practice acceptable methods of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Prior to study enrollment, WOCBP must be advised of the importance of avoiding pregnancy during trial participation and the potential risk factors for an unintentional pregnancy. In addition, men enrolled on this study must be informed of the risks to any sexual partner of childbearing potential and should practice an effective method of birth control.
All WOCBP MUST have a negative pregnancy test within 7 days prior to first receiving investigational product. If the pregnancy test is positive, the patient must not receive investigational product and must not be enrolled in the study.
Parallel
Nivolumab or Pembrolizumab (dependent upon approved indication)
DrugAnti-PD-1 mAb (monoclonal antibody)
Metformin
DrugActs directly or indirectly on the liver to lower glucose production, and acts on the gut to increase glucose utilisation, increase GLP-1 and alter the microbiome.
Rosiglitazone
DrugA member of the thiazolidinedione class of antidiabetic agents, improves glycemic control by improving insulin sensitivity. Rosiglitazone is a highly selective and potent agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ).
Best overall response
Best overall response per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1), by tumor type, recorded from the start of the treatment until disease progression/recurrence. Complete Response (CR): Disappearance of all target lesions. Any pathological lymph nodes (target or non-target) with reduction in short axis to \<10 mm. Partial Response (PR): ≥ 30% decrease in the sum of the diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum of diameters. Incomplete Response/Stable Disease (SD): Neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for PD, (reference smallest sum diameters). Progressive Disease (PD): ≥ 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions (reference smallest sum diameters); the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm; (appearance ≥ 1 new lesions is considered progression).
Progression-free survival (PFS)
The length of time after study enrollment that patients lives without experiencing disease progression per RECIST v1.1. Progressive Disease (PD): ≥20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study (this includes the baseline sum if that is the smallest on study). The sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of ≥5 mm. The appearance ≥1 new lesion(s) is considered progression.
Overall Survival (OS)
The length of time after study enrollment that patients remain alive.
Number of Participants Experiencing Adverse Events Attributed to Treatment
Participants experiencing adverse events (per CTCAE v5.0) that are possibly, probably or definitely related to study treatment, will be tabulated by category, grade and relatedness.
Change in Lymphocyte Cell Status
Percent of T cell proliferation (increase in number of cells) in peripheral blood prior to treatment compared to post treatment. T cell proliferation is associated with anti-tumor response.
Restoration (change) of Mitochondrial Function in Nodal Infiltrating Lymphocytes
Percent of mitochondrial restoration in nodal infiltrating lymphocytes (located within tumor) prior to treatment compared to post treatment. Functional mitochondria might ultimately lead to the restoration of apoptosis in cancer cells that are refractory to current anticancer agents.
Restoration (change) of Mitochondrial Function in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
Percent of mitochondria restoration in peripheral blood lymphocytes prior to treatment compared to after treatment. Functional mitochondria might ultimately lead to the restoration of apoptosis in cancer cells that are refractory to current anticancer agents.
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Dan Zandberg
Lead sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Sponsor institution
