Innovative Trial for Understanding the Impact of Targeted Therapies in NF2-Related Schwannomatosis (INTUITT-NF2)

Scott R. Plotkin, MD, PhD

Status and phase: Enrolling; Phase 2

Conditions: Non-vestibular Schwannoma; Meningioma; Vestibular Schwannoma; Ependymoma; Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Treatments: Drug: Neratinib; Drug: Bevacizumab; Drug: Retifanlimab; Drug: Brigatinib

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NETWORK; Industry

Identifiers

NCT04374305

19-828

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a multi-arm phase II platform-basket screening study designed to test multiple experimental therapies simultaneously in patients with NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN, formerly known as neurofibromatosis type 2) with associated progressive tumors of vestibular schwannomas (VS), non-vestibular schwannomas (non-VS), meningiomas, and ependymomas.

This Master Study is being conducted as a "basket" study that may allow people with multiple tumor types associated with NF2-SWN to receive new drugs throughout this study. Embedded within the Master Study are individual drug substudies.

• Investigational Drug Sub-study A: Brigatinib
• Investigational Drug Sub-study B: Neratinib
• Investigational Drug Sub-study C: Retifanlimab plus bevacizumab

Full description

This research study is a Phase II clinical trial. Phase II clinical trials test the safety and effectiveness of investigational drugs to learn whether the drug(s) works in treating a specific disease. As a basket study, the trial will enroll patients with NF2-SWN with associated progressive tumors of vestibular schwannomas (VS), non-vestibular schwannomas (non-VS), meningiomas, and ependymomas

The MASTER STUDY is intended to enroll participants who will be allocated into different treatment arms (SUB-STUDIES) which will each have an additional consent and enrollment processes.

MASTER STUDY

-- The research study procedures include screening for eligibility, randomization to an experimental treatment sub-study, if qualified, and observation for up to 10 years.

• Participants who have tumors grow during a treatment sub-study will be permitted to enroll in a different experimental treatment sub-study if they are eligible.

• Participants who are not eligible for enrollment in a different treatment sub-study will be permitted to remain under observation on the Master Study to understand the growth pattern of these tumors (natural history)

  • Participants will be eligible to remain on this Master study for up to 10 years.
  • It is expected that about 80 people will take part in the Master Study
  • The study will randomize a maximum of 40 patients to each of the experimental arms. The overall size of the trial is not fixed by design because it include arm-dropping rules for futility and allow for the possibility of arm addition by amendment.

SUB-STUDY A (brigatinib) Drug Sub-study A will test the activity of brigatinib for treatment of NF2-related tumors.

• Brigatinib is approved for the treatment of people with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)- positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed or are intolerant to crizotinib. In preclinical models, brigatinib has shown evidence of activity against models of NF2-deficient tumors.
• Forty (40) people will take part in the Brigatinib Sub-study.
• The sub-study with brigatinib includes two stages.
• In Stage 1, 20 subjects with any allowable tumor type will be accrued to each arm. A minimum of 2 subjects per tumor type (vestibular schwannoma, non-vestibular schwannoma, meningioma, and ependymoma) must be accrued in Stage 1. Interim analysis will be performed after Stage 1 to determine the radiographic response rate (RR) for each tumor types. Subsequently, in stage 2, another 20 subjects will be accrued into the 2 baskets with the most promising early results. If the results are equally promising for more than 2 baskets, subjects will be allocated to the appropriate number of baskets.

SUB-STUDY B (neratinib) Collaborator: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) through a grant provided by Puma Biotechnology Drug Sub-study B will test the activity of neratinib for treatment of NF2-related tumors.

• Neratinib is approved for the treatment of people with early stage HER2-overexpressed/amplified breast cancer following treatment with trastuzumab-based therapy. In preclinical models, neratinib has shown evidence of activity against models of NF2-deficient tumors.

  - It is expected that 20 people will take part in the Neratinib Sub-study. A minimum of 2 subjects per tumor type (vestibular schwannoma, non-vestibular schwannoma, meningioma, and ependymoma) must be accrued. Analysis will be performed to determine the radiographic response rate (RR) for each tumor types.

• A subset of 5 participants will be enrolled into the PET imaging biomarker study. These participants will have additional PET scans performed just prior to the first dose of neratinib and after starting the treatment (witin 24 to 72 hours).

SUB-STUDY C (retifanlimab plus bevacizumab) Collaborator: Funded by the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) and supported, in part, by Incyte Corporation.

Drug sub-study C will test the activity of retifanlimab and bevacizumab on NF2-related tumors.

• Retifanlimab is a humanized immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody that targets programmed cell death protein 1. Retifanlimab is approved for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent locally advanced Merkel cell carinoma in adults.
• Bevacizumab is a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor. Bevacizumab is approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and glioblastoma.
• It is expected that 20 participants will take part in the retifanlimab plus bevacizumab sub-study. A minimum of 2 participants per tumor type (vestibular schwannoma, non-vestibular schwannoma, meningioma, and ependymoma) must be accrued. Interim analysis will be performed to determine the radiographic response rate (RR) for each tumor type. If indicated based on this analysis, and with the support of Incyte, another 20 participants will be accrued into the 2 baskets with the most promising early results. If the results are equally promising for more than 2 baskets, participants will be allocated to the appropriate number of baskets.

Enrollment: 109 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Eligibility Specific For MASTER PROTOCOL:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients must have a pathogenic variant in the NF2 gene (either in the germline or in two NF2-related tumors) OR a confirmed diagnosis of NF2 by fulfilling National Institute of Health (NIH) criteria or Manchester criteria:

The NIH criteria includes presence of:

• Bilateral vestibular schwannomas, OR
• First-degree relative with NF2 and EITHER unilateral eighth nerve mass OR two of the following: neurofibroma, meningioma, glioma, schwannoma, juvenile posterior subcapsular lenticular opacity.

The Manchester criteria includes presence of:

• Bilateral vestibular schwannomas, OR
• First-degree relative with NF2 and EITHER unilateral eighth nerve mass OR two of the following: neurofibroma, meningioma, glioma, schwannoma, juvenile posterior subcapsular lenticular opacity, OR
• Unilateral vestibular schwannoma AND any two of: neurofibroma, meningioma, glioma, schwannoma, juvenile posterior subcapsular lenticular opacity, OR
• Multiple meningiomas (two or more) AND unilateral vestibular schwannoma OR any two of: schwannoma, glioma, neurofibroma, cataract.

Subjects must have a target NF2-related tumor (VS, non-VS, meningioma, or ependymoma) with documented radiographic progression within the preceding 36 months of Master Study registration defined as either:

• at least 20% increase in volume of enhancing tumor
• at least 2 mm increase in greatest linear dimension of enhancing tumor

Participants must have measurable disease, defined as:

• VS, non-VS, or meningioma target lesions that can be accurately measured as at least 1 ml by volumetric MRI scan or in at least one dimension as ≥10 mm with conventional MRI scan. See protocol for the evaluation of measurable disease
• Ependymoma target lesions measurable linearly.

Participant must have a target NF2-related tumor with the following qualities:

• Not amenable to surgery due to patient refusal or due to high risk for surgical complications (e.g., damage to nerve function). Participant must be ≥ 12 years of age on Day 1 of treatment. Life expectancy of greater than 1 year Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70 or ECOG PS 0 or 1 (see Appendix A). Ability to understand and the willingness to sign written informed consent and assent documents.
• Must have established relationship with primary care physician and provide contact information

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who have had chemotherapy within a minimum of 4 weeks prior to Master Study registration (or a minimum of 5 half-lives and resolution to baseline of toxicities unless there are irreversible toxicities from prior drug that do not influence risk of next drug).
• Participants who have received radiation to the target tumor within the last 3 years prior to Master study registration.
• Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents.
• Participants with target or non-target nervous system tumors that, in the opinion of the treating investigator, are likely to require active treatment (including surgery) within 6 months of registration to the Master Study.
• History of a different malignancy, unless (a) have been disease-free for at least 2 years and are deemed by the treating investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy.
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• Pregnant women are excluded from this study because the experimental agents may have the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with these experimental agents, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated.

Eligibility Criteria Specific to SUB-STUDY A (Brigatinib arm): CLOSED TO ENROLLMENT

Inclusion criteria

• Participants must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the Master Study
• Participants must be willing and able to provide written informed consent/assent for the brigatinib arm of the INTUITT-NF2 trial.
• Participant is ≥ 12 years of age and has body weight at least 40 kg on Day 1 of treatment.
• Patient must be able to swallow pills.
• Clinical laboratory values as specified below within 28 days before the first dose of study drug, as described in the protocol document:
• Female patients participating in this study should avoid becoming pregnant, and male patients should avoid impregnating a female partner. Non-sterilized female patients of reproductive age group and male patients should use effective methods of contraception through defined periods during and after study treatment as specified below:

Female patients must meet 1 of the following:

• Postmenopausal for at least 1 year before the screening visit, or

• Surgically sterile, or

• If they are of childbearing potential, agree to practice 2 effective methods of contraception from the time of signing of the informed consent form through 4 months after the last dose of study drug, or agree to completely abstain from heterosexual intercourse. Brigatinib may decrease effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, therefore, women are recommended to use non-hormonal methods of contraception. Highly effective non-hormonal birth control for women of child bearing potential with male partners includes:

  • Sexual abstinence (no sexual intercourse)
  • Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS)
  • Bilateral tubal ligation (both tubes tied)
  • Vasectomized partner

Male patients, even if surgically sterilized (i.e., status post-vasectomy) must agree to 1 of the following:

- Practice effective barrier contraception during the entire study treatment period and through 4 months after the last dose of study drug, or completely abstain from heterosexual intercourse.

Exclusion criteria:

• Female patients who are both lactating and breastfeeding or have a positive serum pregnancy test during the screening period or a positive urine pregnancy test on Day 1 before first dose of study drug (if applicable)
• Any serious medical or psychiatric illness that could, in the investigator's opinion, potentially interfere with the completion of treatment according to this protocol
• Treatment with any investigational products within 1 month or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) before the first dose of study drug
• Had major surgery within 30 days of the first dose of brigatinib. Minor surgical procedures such as catheter placement or minimally invasive biopsies are allowed.
• Have significant, uncontrolled, or active cardiovascular disease (as outlined in the protocol):
• Have uncontrolled hypertension (defined as an average systolic blood pressure >160 or an average diastolic blood pressure >100 for adults; for children: please refer to table in protocol

Eligibility Criteria Specific to SUB-STUDY B (Neratinib arm):

• Participants must be willing and able to provide written informed consent/assent for the neratinib arm of the INTUITT-NF2 trial.
• Participant must be ≥ 12 years of age and have body weight ≥ 40 kg on Day 1 of treatment.
• Patient must be able to swallow pills.
• Recovery (ie, to Grade 1 or baseline) from all clinically significant AEs related to prior therapies (excluding alopecia, neuropathy, and nail changes).
• Clinical laboratory values as specified below within 14 days before the first dose of study drug:
• ALT/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal (ULN);
• Total serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × institutional ULN (<3.0 × institutional ULN for patients with Gilbert syndrome)
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation
• Serum lipase ≤1.5 × institutional ULN
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5 × 109/L
• Platelet count ≥75 × 109/L
• Hemoglobin ≥9 g/dL
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% measured by multiple-gated acquisition scan (MUGA) or echocardiogram (ECHO).
• It is not known what effects neratinib has on human pregnancy or development of the embryo or fetus. Therefore, female patients participating in this study should avoid becoming pregnant, and male patients should avoid impregnating a female partner. Non-sterilized female patients of reproductive age group and male patients should use effective methods of contraception through defined periods during and after study treatment as specified below:

Female patients must meet 1 of the following:

• Postmenopausal for at least 1 year before the screening visit, or

• Surgically sterile, or

• If they are of childbearing potential, agree to practice 2 effective methods of contraception from the time of signing of the informed consent form through 4 months after the last dose of study drug, or agree to completely abstain from heterosexual intercourse. Neratinib may decrease effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, therefore, women are recommended to use non-hormonal methods of contraception. Highly effective non-hormonal birth control for women of child bearing potential with male partners includes:

  • Sexual abstinence (no sexual intercourse)
  • Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS)
  • Bilateral tubal ligation (both tubes tied)
  • Vasectomized partner

Male patients, even if surgically sterilized (i.e., status post-vasectomy) must agree to 1 of the following:

• Practice effective barrier contraception during the entire study treatment period and through 4 months after the last dose of study drug, or completely abstain from heterosexual intercourse.
• Female patients must have negative β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) pregnancy test for premenopausal women of reproductive capacity (those who are biologically capable of having children) and for women less than 12 months after menopause. [Women are considered postmenopausal if they are ≥12 months without menses, in the absence of endocrine or anti-endocrine therapies.]

Exclusion Criteria

• Female patients who are both lactating and breastfeeding or have a positive serum pregnancy test during the screening period or a positive urine pregnancy test on Day 1 before first dose of study drug (if applicable)
• Any serious medical or psychiatric illness that could, in the investigator's opinion, potentially interfere with the completion of treatment according to this protocol
• Treatment with any investigational products within 28 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) before the first dose of study drug
• Had major surgery within 30 days of the first dose of neratinib. Minor surgical procedures such as catheter placement or minimally invasive biopsies are allowed.
• Have significant, uncontrolled, or active cardiovascular disease, specifically including, but not restricted to:
• Myocardial infarction within 6 months before the first dose of neratinib.
• Unstable angina within 6 months before first dose of neratinib.
• Congestive heart failure within 6 months before first dose of neratinib.
• History of clinically significant atrial arrhythmia (including clinically significant bradyarrhythmia), as determined by the treating physician.
• Any history of clinically significant ventricular arrhythmia.
• Had a cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack within 6 months before first dose of neratinib.
• QTc interval >0.450 seconds (males) or >0.470 (females), or known history of QTc prolongation or Torsade de Pointes (TdP)
• Have a known history of HIV infection. Testing is not required in the absence of history.
• Have malabsorption syndrome or other GI illness that could affect oral absorption of neratinib. Note: This includes any predisposing chronic condition resulting in baseline grade 2 or higher diarrhea
• History of severe allergic reactions or intolerability attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to neratinib.
• Have any condition or illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise patient safety or interfere with the evaluation of neratinib.
• Concurrent use of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs), including phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, pentobarbital, or primidone
• Received systemic treatment with certain cytochrome P-450 inhibitors or inducers within 14 days before enrollment.

Enrollment Criteria Specific to SUB-STUDY C (retifanlimab plus bevacizumab arm):

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants must be willing and able to provide written informed consent/assent for the retifanlimab-bevacizumab arm of the INTUITT-NF2 trial.

• Participants must have a target NF2-related tumor (VS, non-VS, meningioma, or ependymoma) with documented radiographic progression within the preceding 36-months.

• Age between 12 and 25 years on day 1 of treatment.

• Life expectancy of greater than 1 year.

• Participants must meet the following organ and marrow function as defined below:

  1. Leukocytes ≥3000/mcL
  2. Platelets ≥100,000/mcL
  3. Total Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 institutional upper limit of normal (ULN), (<3.0 × institutional ULN for patients with Gilbert Syndrome)
  4. AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤2.5 × institutional ULN
  5. Urine Protein:Creatinine Ratio ≤ 1.9
  6. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2

• Inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can lead to increased risk of immune-mediated rejection of the developing fetus resulting in fetal death. Therefore, female patients participating in this study should avoid becoming pregnant, and male patients should avoid impregnating a female partner. Non-sterilized female patients of reproductive age group and male patients should use effective methods of contraception through defined periods during and after study treatment as specified below:

Female patients must meet 1 of the following:

• Postmenopausal, defined as ≥12 consecutive months of amenorrhea in the absence of endocrine or anti-endocrine therapy, for a minimum of 1 year prior to screening visit, or
• Surgically sterile, or
• If they are of childbearing potential, agree to practice 2 effective methods of contraception from the time of signing of the informed consent form through 4 months after the last dose of study drug, or agree to completely abstain from heterosexual intercourse. Highly effective non-hormonal birth control for women of childbearing potential with male partners may include:
• Sexual abstinence (no sexual intercourse)
• Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS)
• Bilateral tubal ligation (both tubes tied)
• Vasectomized partner Male patients, even if surgically sterilized (i.e., status post-vasectomy), must agree to 1 of the following:
• Practice effective barrier contraception during the entire study treatment period and through 4 months after the last dose of study drug, or
• Completely abstain from heterosexual intercourse.

Exclusion Criteria

• History of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to retifanlimab or bevacizumab

• Female patients who are both lactating and breastfeeding or have a positive serum pregnancy test during the screening period prior to registration.

• Treatment with any investigational products or chemotherapy within 28 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) before the first dose of study drug.

• Treatment with bevacizumab or any PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor within 180 days before the first dose of study drug.

• Had major surgery within 30 days of the first dose of study drug. Minor surgical procedures such as catheter placement or minimally invasive biopsies are allowed.

• Serious or non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture.

• History of abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation or intra-abdominal abscess within 6 months prior to Day 1.

• Imaging (CT or MRI) evidence of hemorrhage deemed significant by the treating physician (> grade 1). Subjects with significantly increased risk of CNS hemorrhage are not eligible.

• Concurrent use of anti-coagulant drugs (not including prophylactic doses), history of coagulopathy, or evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy.

• Participants who have not recovered from adverse events due to prior anti-cancer therapy (i.e., have residual toxicities > Grade 1) with the exception of alopecia.

• Evidence of interstitial lung disease, history of interstitial lung disease, or active, noninfectious pneumonitis.

• Immune related toxicity during prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy for which permanent discontinuation of therapy was recommended (per product label or consensus guidelines) or any immune-related toxicity requiring intensive or prolonged immunosuppression to manage (with the exception of endocrinopathy that is well controlled on replacement hormones).

• Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppression in excess of physiologic maintenance doses of corticosteroids (> 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent).

  1. Physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy at doses ≤ 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency and in the absence of active autoimmune disease is permitted.
  2. Participants with asthma that requires intermittent use of bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, or local corticosteroid injections may participate.
  3. Participants using topical, ocular, intra-articular, or intranasal corticosteroids (with minimal systemic absorption) may participate.
  4. Brief courses of corticosteroids for prophylaxis (eg, contrast dye allergy) or study treatment-related standard premedications are permitted.

• Active infections requiring systemic antibiotics or antifungal or antiviral treatment within 10 days before first dose of study treatment.

• Has received a live vaccine within 28 days before the planned start of study treatment (with the exception of COVID-19 vaccines).

Note: Examples of live vaccines include but are not limited to measles, mumps, rubella, varicella-zoster (chickenpox), yellow fever, rabies, BCG, and typhoid vaccines. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed-virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines are live, attenuated vaccines and are not allowed.

• History of organ transplant, including allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
• Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, such as:
• Inadequately controlled HTN (defined as an average systolic blood pressure >160 or an average diastolic blood pressure > 100 for adult patients ≥ 21 years and as an average systolic BP > 130 or an average diastolic blood pressure >80 for pediatric patients 12-21 years) despite adequate treatment with medications. Patients with hypertension should be under treatment on study entry to control blood pressure.
• History of CVA within 12 months of registration
• Myocardial infarction or unstable angina within 12 months of registration
• New York heart association grade II or greater congestive heart failure
• Serious and inadequately controlled cardiac arrhythmia
• Significant vascular disease (e.g., aortic aneurysm, history of aortic dissection)
• Clinically significant peripheral vascular disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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109 participants in 3 patient groups

Sub-study A (brigatinib) - CLOSED TO ENROLLMENT

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects treated in this arm will receive brigatinib 90 mg by mouth daily for 7 days and then increased to 180 mg by mouth daily if the drug is tolerated.

Treatment:

Drug: Brigatinib

Sub-study B (neratinib)

Experimental group

Description:

The first three participants treated in this arm will receive neratinib 200 mg mg by mouth daily. If these participants tolerate the medication well, subsequent participants will receive neratinib 240 mg by mouth daily.

Treatment:

Drug: Neratinib

Experimental: sub-study C (retifanlimab plus bevacizumab)

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects on this arm will receive retifanlimab by IV infusion at a dose of 375 mg every 3 weeks on a continuous schedule for 48 weeks. Subjects will also receive bevacizumab by IV infusion at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks on an intermittent schedule. One cycle last 42 days and the study will last for 52 total weeks (48 treatment weeks and 4 follow-up weeks).

Treatment:

Drug: Retifanlimab

Drug: Bevacizumab