A phase II study of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and lenvatinib for resectable stage III melanoma: The neopele study

TPS10088 Background: Recent clinical trials of neoadjuvant (neo-adj) ipilimumab combined with nivolumab (OpACIN & OpACIN-neo) in resectable stage III melanoma show that a pathological response ( < 50% viable tumour at the tumour bed as determined by histopathological analysis) is associated with a prolonged relapse-free survival compared to no pathological response. Furthermore, recurrences seldom occur in those who have a pathological response following neo-adj immunotherapy with only 1/71 pts (1.4%) having recurred. In contrast, 15/23 (65.2%) pts with no pathological response have relapsed to date. The NeoPeLe trial will test the hypothesis that the synergistic combination of PD-1 blockade (pembrolizumab) with anti-angiogenic/multiple RTK inhibitor (lenvatinib) will result in a high rate of pathological response in the resected surgical specimen with a low rate of toxicity. Tissue and blood biomarkers are drawn at several timepoints and correlated to clinical and pathological endpoints to explore mechanisms of response and resistance. We will compare pathological response rate, and other clinical outcomes in this study, with previously published neo-adj clinical trials to select the best schedules for larger-scale clinical testing. Across neo-adj studies, we will also analyse the tissue collected to explore determinants of the optimal therapy for individual pts, whilst minimising toxicity. Methods: Eligible pts with stage IIIB/C/D, resectable and measurable (RECIST 1.1) nodal metastatic melanoma will be enrolled to this phase II single-centre trial (n = 20). All pts undergo complete nodal resection (RES) at wk 6 following neo-adj therapy with pembrolizumab (200mg, IV, 3 wkly) and lenvatinib (20mg, oral, daily). Adjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab is given for 46 wks after RES. After 52 wks of the study treatment, pts will be followed for relapse and survival for 5 years. CT and FDG PET/CT are used to measure response and exclude progression in the neo-adj phase, and to monitor for recurrence during adj and post treatment phases. Blood and tumour samples are collected at baseline, day 8, RES and at relapse if feasible. Faecal samples are collected at baseline and before RES. The primary endpoint is the complete pathological response rate at RES following 6 wks of neo-adj therapy. Secondary endpoints include RECIST response, metabolic response, OS, RFS, safety/tolerability, surgical outcomes, quality of life, and biomarker analyses. Clinical trial information: NCTNCT04207086.