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CompletedNCT01127451Updated Apr 13, 2022Results posted

Study of Denileukin Diftitox in Participants With Stage IIIC and Stage IV Melanoma

A Phase 2 interventional study of Denileukin diftitox in Stage IIIC Melanoma and Stage IV Melanoma, sponsored by Eisai Inc.. Completed at 10 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-04-13.

Sponsored by Eisai Inc. · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
75
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether participants with Stage IIIC and Stage IV Melanoma experience benefit when treated with Denileukin diftitox in two different dosing schedules.

Read the detailed description

This is a multicenter, open-label, dose/schedule and clinical efficacy study in participants with Stage IIIC and Stage IV melanoma.

Dose-Schedules: This is a schedule, dose, and pharmacodynamic study of Denileukin diftitox in participants with Stage IIIC and Stage IV melanoma. Two arms of 40 participants each were originally planned (see below) for a total of 80 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 arms: 1. 12 mcg/kg/day on Days 1 through 4 of each 21-day treatment cycle, for a total of 4 cycles (12 weeks); 2. 12 mcg/kg/day on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 21-day treatment cycle, for a total of 4 cycles (12 weeks). Participants will be evaluated for (clinical response, safety and tolerability, and pharmacodynamic measures of ONTAK activity. An optional substudy will be conducted that will involve collection of serial tumor biopsies at study entry and Day 84 in order to assess tissue pharmacodynamic markers of ONTAK activity (Treg depletion in tumor, appearance of melanoma antigen-specific CD8+lymphocytes, and other markers of mucosal immunity and inflammatory response).

Following an amendment, participants will be enrolled in Arm 1 only (expanded to a total of 55 participants) and Arm 2 was closed. According to the original design, if two responses or less were observed among 22 participants on either arm, that arm would be discontinued.

Participants experiencing clinical benefit (immune-related stable disease [irSD], immune-related partial response [irPR], or immune-related complete response [irCR] per irRC) after 4 cycles of treatment, may continue their denileukin diftitox treatment for up to 8 cycles.

02

Conditions studied

  • Stage IIIC Melanoma
  • Stage IV Melanoma

Keywords

  • Neoplasms
03

In context

Melanoma

3,073 studies on the registry are indexed under Melanoma; 529 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 75 is above the median of 38 across 2,400 interventional studies indexed under Melanoma.

Browse Melanoma studies →

Lead sponsor

Eisai Inc. is the lead sponsor of 368 studies on the registry; 7 are open to participants now.

Of its 83 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 56 (67%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria Participants may be entered in the study only if they meet all of the following criteria.

  1. Male or female participants greater than or equal to18 years of age;
  2. Participants with histologically confirmed melanoma (Stage IIIC or Stage IV, American Joint Commission on Cancer);
  3. Naive to prior systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy (eg, BRAF), or immunotherapy (eg, interleukin-2 [IL-2] or interferon) for the treatment of melanoma, including any cytotoxic agents or IL-2 used for adjuvant therapy (adjuvant interferon is allowed). Prior granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is allowed;
  4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) of 0 to 2;
  5. Life expectancy greater than or equal to 3 months;
  6. At least 1 site of radiographically measurable disease by immune-related response criteria (irRC);
  7. Serum albumin greater than or equal to 3 g/dL;
  8. Adequate hematologic, renal, and liver function as defined by laboratory values performed within 21 days prior to initiation of dosing:

    • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) greater than or equal to 1.5 x 109/L;
    • Platelet count greater than or equal to 100 x 10\^9/L;
    • Hemoglobin greater than or equal to 9 g/dL;
    • Serum creatinine less than or equal 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or creatinine clearance greater than or equal to 50 mL/min;
    • Total serum bilirubin less than or equal to 1.5 x ULN;
    • Serum aspartate transaminase (AST/SGOT) or serum alanine transaminase (ALT/SGPT) less than or equal to 2.5 x ULN, and less than or equal to 5 x ULN if liver metastases are present.
  9. Fertile males should use an effective method of contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after completion of treatment, as directed by their physician;
  10. Pre-menopausal females and females less than 2 years after the onset of menopause should have a negative pregnancy test at Screening. Pre-menopausal females must agree to use an acceptable method of birth control from the time of the negative pregnancy test up to 90 days after the last dose of study drug. Females of non-childbearing potential may be included if they are either surgically sterile or have been postmenopausal for greater than or equal to 1 year; Before study entry, written informed consent must be obtained from the participants prior to performing any study-related procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will not be entered in the study for any of the following:

  1. Known central nervous system (CNS) lesions, except for asymptomatic non-progressing, treated brain metastases.

    Treated brain metastases are defined as having no evidence of progression or hemorrhage for 2 months, as ascertained by clinical examination and brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] or computerized tomography [CT]) during the Screening period (using the pretreatment brain image as Baseline). Treatment for brain metastases must have been completed at least 2 months prior to Day 1 of the first treatment cycle and may include whole brain radiotherapy, radiosurgery (Gamma Knife, LINAC, or equivalent), or a combination as deemed appropriate by the treating physician. Dexamethasone must be discontinued at least 4 weeks prior to Day 1. Participants with CNS metastases treated by neurosurgical resection or brain biopsy performed within 2 months prior to Day 1 will be excluded;

  2. Carcinomatous meningitis;
  3. Prior treatment with denileukin diftitox;
  4. Known hypersensitivity to denileukin diftitox or any of its components: diphtheria toxin, IL-2, or excipients;
  5. Prior surgery for melanoma less than 4 weeks before enrollment;
  6. Other malignancy within 3 years of randomization, with the exception of adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-melanoma skin cancer, with no subsequent evidence of recurrence and/or malignancies diagnosed at a stage where definitive therapy results in near certain cures. The Medical Monitor must be consulted in such cases;
  7. Currently receiving any other anticancer treatment for melanoma (including palliative radiotherapy);
  8. Received treatment in another clinical study within the 4 weeks prior to commencing study treatment or participants who have not recovered from side effects of an investigational drug to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Grade less than or equal to 1, except for alopecia;
  9. Received radiotherapy for non-CNS disease within the 2 weeks prior to commencing study treatment or have not recovered from side effects of all radiation-related toxicities to Grade less than or equal to 1, except for alopecia;
  10. Significant cardiovascular impairment (history of congestive heart failure New York Heart Association [NYHA] Grade greater than 2 [see Appendix 5], unstable angina, or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months, or serious cardiac arrhythmia);
  11. Use of chronic systemic steroids (>5 days) within 2 weeks of Day 1 of the first treatment cycle (replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency is allowed);
  12. Participants with an allograft requiring immunosuppression;
  13. Known positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), known hepatitis B surface antigen, or hepatitis C positive;
  14. Pregnant, breast-feeding, or refusing double barrier contraception, oral contraceptives, or avoidance of pregnancy measures; Have any other uncontrolled infection or medical condition that could interfere with the conduct of the study.
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
75 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4

    Participants received Denileukin Diftitox 12 mcg/kg/day (microgram per kilogram) on Days 1 through 4 of each 21-day treatment cycle, for a total of 4 cycles (12 weeks).

    Drug: Denileukin diftitox

  • Experimental
    Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15

    Participants received Denileukin Diftitox 12 mcg/kg/day on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 21-day treatment cycle, for a total of 4 cycles (12 weeks). ARM 2 was closed. Participants experiencing clinical benefit (irSD, irPR, or irCR per irRC) after 4 cycles of treatment, may continue their denileukin diftitox treatment for up to 8 cycles.

    Drug: Denileukin diftitox

Interventions

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants With Immune-related Overall Response Rate (irORR)

    irORR was defined as the percentage of participants with best confirmed response (immune-related complete response \[irCR\] or immune-related partial response \[irPR\]). irORR was assessed by immune-related response criteria (irRC). Per irRC criteria, irCR was defined as complete disappearance of all tumor lesions, whether measurable or not, and no new lesions. irPR was defined as decrease in tumor burden by 50 percent (%) or greater (confirmed in 2 observations at least 4 weeks apart).

    Time frame: From the start of treatment up to 1 year 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Progression Free Survival (PFS)

    The PFS was defined as time from start of study treatment until immune-related progressive disease (irPD) or death. If the participant did not progress, the participant was censored at the date of last tumor assessment, known alive, or until starting a next line of therapy, whichever occurred first. PFS was assessed by irRC. irPD was defined as at least 25% increase in tumor burden relative to nadir (at any single time point) in 2 consecutive observations at least 4 weeks apart. The PFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The median time (weeks) and the corresponding 90% confidence interval were estimated for each treatment group are reported.

    Time frame: From the start of treatment to the date of first documentation of irPD, or date of death, whichever occurred first up to 1 year 6 months

  2. Percentage of Participants With PFS at Month 6

    The PFS was defined as time from start of study treatment until irPD or death. If the participant did not progress, the participant was censored at the date of last tumor assessment, known alive, or until starting a next line of therapy, whichever occurred first. PFS was assessed by irRC. irPD was defined as at least 25% increase in tumor burden relative to nadir (at any single time point) in 2 consecutive observations at least 4 weeks apart. Percentage of participants with PFS at month 6 are reported and was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

    Time frame: Month 6

  3. Duration of Response

    Duration of response was defined as the time from date of the first assessment demonstrating an irCR or irPR to date of the first assessment demonstrating progressive disease (PD), death, or withdrawal from study. In the absence of confirmation of death or PD, duration of response was censored at the last date of follow-up when the participant was known to be alive and have maintained a response. Duration of response was assessed by irRC. Per irRC criteria, irCR was defined as complete disappearance of all tumor lesions, whether measurable or not, and no new lesions. irPR was defined as decrease in tumor burden by 50% or greater (confirmed in 2 observations at least 4 weeks apart). The duration of response was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

    Time frame: From date of the first demonstration of irCR or irPR until the date of first demonstration of PD, date of death, or withdrawal from study up to 1 year 6 months

  4. Overall Survival (OS)

    The OS was defined as the time from the date of randomization until the date of death. OS was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. The median time (weeks) and the corresponding 90% confidence interval were estimated for each treatment group were reported.

    Time frame: From the date of randomization until the date of death up to 1 year 6 months

  5. Percentage of Participants With OS at 1 Year

    The OS was defined as the time from the date of randomization until the date of death. OS at 1 year was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. OS at 1 year was measured as the percentage of participants still alive at 1 year from the date of randomization.

    Time frame: From the date of randomization up to 1 year

  6. Change From Baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25+CD152- Cells Expression Pattern at Weeks 12

    Treg (regulatory T cells) from peripheral blood and tumor tissues were assessed for best immune-related response. Assessment of Treg cells was done by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Change from baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25+CD152- (surface marker expressed in Treg cells) expression pattern, by treatment and immune-related response are reported.

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12

  7. Change From Baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25hiCD152- Cells Expression Pattern at Weeks 12

    Treg (regulatory T cells) from peripheral blood and tumor tissues were assessed for best immune-related response. Assessment of Treg cells was done by IHC analysis. Change from baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25hiCD152- (surface marker expressed in Treg cells) expression pattern, by treatment and immune-related response are reported.

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12

07

Results

Posted Apr 13, 2022

Participant flow

Participants took part in the study at 12 investigative sites in the United States from 22 June 2010 to 07 April 2015.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Started4332
Safety analysis set4332
Modified intent-to-treat (mitt)4232
Completed00
Not completed4332
Withdrew: Other21
Withdrew: Completed 1 year follow-up after last dose of study drug1412
Withdrew: Death2217
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up30
Withdrew: Administrative reason by sponsor22

Outcome measures

PrimaryPercentage of Participants With Immune-related Overall Response Rate (irORR)

irORR was defined as the percentage of participants with best confirmed response (immune-related complete response \[irCR\] or immune-related partial response \[irPR\]). irORR was assessed by immune-related response criteria (irRC). Per irRC criteria, irCR was defined as complete disappearance of all tumor lesions, whether measurable or not, and no new lesions. irPR was defined as decrease in tumor burden by 50 percent (%) or greater (confirmed in 2 observations at least 4 weeks apart).

Time frame:
From the start of treatment up to 1 year 6 months
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants With Immune-related Overall Response Rate (irORR)
percentage of participantsDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Percentage of Participants With Immune-related Overall Response Rate (irORR)9.5 (3.3 to 20.4)3.1 (0.1 to 13.9)
SecondaryProgression Free Survival (PFS)

The PFS was defined as time from start of study treatment until immune-related progressive disease (irPD) or death. If the participant did not progress, the participant was censored at the date of last tumor assessment, known alive, or until starting a next line of therapy, whichever occurred first. PFS was assessed by irRC. irPD was defined as at least 25% increase in tumor burden relative to nadir (at any single time point) in 2 consecutive observations at least 4 weeks apart. The PFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The median time (weeks) and the corresponding 90% confidence interval were estimated for each treatment group are reported.

Time frame:
From the start of treatment to the date of first documentation of irPD, or date of death, whichever occurred first up to 1 year 6 months
Reported as:
Median · weeks
Progression Free Survival (PFS)
weeksDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Progression Free Survival (PFS)12.1 (11.6 to 14.0)12.1 (11.6 to 13.0)
SecondaryPercentage of Participants With PFS at Month 6

The PFS was defined as time from start of study treatment until irPD or death. If the participant did not progress, the participant was censored at the date of last tumor assessment, known alive, or until starting a next line of therapy, whichever occurred first. PFS was assessed by irRC. irPD was defined as at least 25% increase in tumor burden relative to nadir (at any single time point) in 2 consecutive observations at least 4 weeks apart. Percentage of participants with PFS at month 6 are reported and was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Time frame:
Month 6
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants With PFS at Month 6
percentage of participantsDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Percentage of Participants With PFS at Month 628.5 (15.2 to 43.3)23.0 (9.7 to 39.6)
SecondaryDuration of Response

Duration of response was defined as the time from date of the first assessment demonstrating an irCR or irPR to date of the first assessment demonstrating progressive disease (PD), death, or withdrawal from study. In the absence of confirmation of death or PD, duration of response was censored at the last date of follow-up when the participant was known to be alive and have maintained a response. Duration of response was assessed by irRC. Per irRC criteria, irCR was defined as complete disappearance of all tumor lesions, whether measurable or not, and no new lesions. irPR was defined as decrease in tumor burden by 50% or greater (confirmed in 2 observations at least 4 weeks apart). The duration of response was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Time frame:
From date of the first demonstration of irCR or irPR until the date of first demonstration of PD, date of death, or withdrawal from study up to 1 year 6 months
Reported as:
Median · weeks
Duration of Response
weeksDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Duration of Response32.9 (26.6 to 49.6)54.3 (54.3 to 54.3)
SecondaryOverall Survival (OS)

The OS was defined as the time from the date of randomization until the date of death. OS was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. The median time (weeks) and the corresponding 90% confidence interval were estimated for each treatment group were reported.

Time frame:
From the date of randomization until the date of death up to 1 year 6 months
Reported as:
Median · weeks
Overall Survival (OS)
weeksDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Overall Survival (OS)51.1 (37.1 to 113.6)54.3 (30.7 to 77.1)
SecondaryPercentage of Participants With OS at 1 Year

The OS was defined as the time from the date of randomization until the date of death. OS at 1 year was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. OS at 1 year was measured as the percentage of participants still alive at 1 year from the date of randomization.

Time frame:
From the date of randomization up to 1 year
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants With OS at 1 Year
percentage of participantsDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Percentage of Participants With OS at 1 Year42.8 (21.9 to 62.3)50.0 (29.0 to 67.7)
SecondaryChange From Baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25+CD152- Cells Expression Pattern at Weeks 12

Treg (regulatory T cells) from peripheral blood and tumor tissues were assessed for best immune-related response. Assessment of Treg cells was done by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Change from baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25+CD152- (surface marker expressed in Treg cells) expression pattern, by treatment and immune-related response are reported.

Time frame:
Baseline, Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · cells per microliter
Change From Baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25+CD152- Cells Expression Pattern at Weeks 12
cells per microliterDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
At Baseline135.9 ± 86.17184.9 ± 114.90
Change at Week 126.4 ± 69.63-46.1 ± 74.72
SecondaryChange From Baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25hiCD152- Cells Expression Pattern at Weeks 12

Treg (regulatory T cells) from peripheral blood and tumor tissues were assessed for best immune-related response. Assessment of Treg cells was done by IHC analysis. Change from baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25hiCD152- (surface marker expressed in Treg cells) expression pattern, by treatment and immune-related response are reported.

Time frame:
Baseline, Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · cells per microliter
Change From Baseline in CD4+CD127-/loCD25hiCD152- Cells Expression Pattern at Weeks 12
cells per microliterDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
At Baseline34.8 ± 16.5840.0 ± 21.01
Change at Week 12-8.0 ± 19.22-13.3 ± 13.37

Adverse events

Collected over From first dose of study drug up to approximately 1 year 6 months. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 422/43 (51.2%)15/43 (34.9%)43/43 (100%)
Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 1517/32 (53.1%)8/32 (25%)9/32 (28.1%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 32
Most frequent serious events
EventDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
Confusional StatePsychiatric disorders2/430/32
HypotensionVascular disorders2/430/32
CellulitisInfections and infestations0/431/32
Endocarditis BacterialInfections and infestations0/431/32
DehydrationMetabolism and nutrition disorders0/431/32
Metastases To Central Nervous SystemNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)0/431/32
Tumour PainNeoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)0/431/32
Brain OedemaNervous system disorders0/431/32
Mental Status ChangesPsychiatric disorders0/431/32
DyspnoeaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/431/32
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 35
Most frequent other events
EventDenileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15
FatigueGeneral disorders25/431/32
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders24/434/32
ChillsGeneral disorders20/433/32
Alanine aminotransferase increasedInvestigations12/430/32
Aspartate aminotransferase increasedInvestigations10/430/32
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders9/431/32
Decreased appetiteMetabolism and nutrition disorders9/433/32
HypoalbuminaemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders9/431/32
InsomniaPsychiatric disorders8/431/32
DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders7/431/32

Baseline characteristics

Safety analysis set included all participants enrolled and randomized to treatment and who had any safety assessment following the first dose of study drug.

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15Total
Median66 (38 to 93)68 (28 to 94)66 (28 to 94)
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15Total
Female111223
Male322052
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity, Customized(Participants)Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1 to 4Denileukin Diftitox on Days 1, 8, and 15Total
White403171
Asian202
Black or African American112
08

Study locations

10 sites
  • Encinitas, California 92008, United States
  • Los Angeles, California 90025, United States
  • Washington D.C., District of Columbia 20010, United States
  • Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
  • Louisville, Kentucky 40202, United States
  • Baltimore, Maryland 21237, United States
  • Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
  • Lincoln, Nebraska 68510, United States
  • Portland, Oregon 97227, United States
  • Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 13, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01127451
Lead sponsor
Eisai Inc.
Collaborators
PharmaBio Development Inc.
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 20, 2010
Start date
Jun 22, 2010
Primary completion
Apr 7, 2015
Completion
Apr 7, 2015
Results posted
Apr 13, 2022
Last update
Apr 13, 2022

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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