A Phase 2 interventional study of Nivolumab and Varlilumab in ALK-Positive Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Activated B-Cell Type and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Associated With Chronic Inflammation, sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI). Active, not recruiting at 33 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-26.
Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
This phase II trial studies how well nivolumab with or without varlilumab works in treating patients with aggressive B-cell lymphomas that have come back (recurrent) or do not respond to treatment (refractory). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as varlilumab and nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To determine the anti-tumor activity of combination therapy with CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab as compared to nivolumab alone in patients with advanced aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) based on the lymphoma response to immunomodulatory therapy criteria or LYRIC.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To assess the safety and tolerability profile of treatment with a combination of CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab in patients with advanced aggressive B-cell NHL.
II. To evaluate the duration of response, progression-free survival and overall survival.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
I. To determine the effect of combination therapy with CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab on the immune system as assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), mass cytometry (CyTOF), changes in serum cytokine profile and immunogenicity assays.
II. To describe the pharmacokinetic profile of CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab when used in combination.
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.
GROUP I: Patients receive nivolumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes every 2 weeks for 4 months and every 4 weeks for a total of up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may cross over to Group II at the time of disease progression.
GROUP II: Patients receive varlilumab IV over 90 minutes every 4 weeks for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes every 2 weeks for 4 months and every 4 weeks for a total of up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 100 days.
18 studies on the registry are indexed under Plasmablastic Lymphoma; 11 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 54 is above the median of 28 across 16 interventional studies indexed under Plasmablastic Lymphoma.
Browse Plasmablastic Lymphoma studies →National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the lead sponsor of 3,556 studies on the registry; 336 are open to participants now.
Of its 411 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 373 (91%) have results posted.
Compared within Plasmablastic Lymphoma, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
For the purpose of this study, aggressive B-cell NHL will be deemed any lymphoma belonging to one of the following groups according to the 2016 revision of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid neoplasms
For the purposes of stratification, diagnoses are grouped into 2 categories:
Category A
Category B
Exclusion Criteria:
Palliative (limited-field) radiation therapy is permitted, if all of the following criteria are met:
Patients with evidence of active disease in the central nervous system (CNS) defined as either the presence of active lesions on MRI obtained within 4 weeks of registration or progressive neurological decline
Patients with (HIV) are eligible for the study provided they meet the other protocol criteria in addition to the following:
Likely to have near normal lifespan if not for the presence of lymphoma
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
Stem cell (bone marrow) transplants. Allogeneic uses cells from a donor; autologous uses your own cells, collected earlier and given back.
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
How quickly the kidneys clear creatinine, a waste product, from the blood. A study may estimate it from a blood test with age, weight and sex (often by the Cockcroft–Gault formula), or measure it using blood and urine collected over a set time. Given in mL/min; higher is better.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 are proteins that act as brakes on the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab, block them so the immune system can attack a cancer.
PD-L1 can also be measured in a tumour sample. Some scores count stained tumour cells only (TPS); others also count certain immune cells (CPS). The study names the score and the minimum it uses.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
The number of CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell, in a given amount of blood. It is used to follow how well the immune system is doing in HIV.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
A weakened immune system. It can come from an illness, such as HIV or some blood cancers, or from medicines that turn the immune system down, for example after an organ transplant or for an autoimmune disease; steroids at higher doses count.
Read whether the line is about a condition or about medicines, and which medicines and doses it means.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Relapsed and refractory
Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Measurable disease
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Allogeneic and autologous transplant
Stem cell (bone marrow) transplants. Allogeneic uses cells from a donor; autologous uses your own cells, collected earlier and given back.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ECOG performance status
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Life expectancy
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low level is anaemia, which can cause tiredness and breathlessness. Measured in g/dL or g/L (9 g/dL is 90 g/L).
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Creatinine clearance (CrCl)
How quickly the kidneys clear creatinine, a waste product, from the blood. A study may estimate it from a blood test with age, weight and sex (often by the Cockcroft–Gault formula), or measure it using blood and urine collected over a set time. Given in mL/min; higher is better.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
PD-1, PD-L1 and checkpoint inhibitors
PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 are proteins that act as brakes on the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab, block them so the immune system can attack a cancer.
PD-L1 can also be measured in a tumour sample. Some scores count stained tumour cells only (TPS); others also count certain immune cells (CPS). The study names the score and the minimum it uses.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
CD4 count
The number of CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell, in a given amount of blood. It is used to follow how well the immune system is doing in HIV.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis C tests
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. An HCV antibody test can stay positive after an infection has cleared (and is occasionally positive without one); an HCV RNA test shows whether the virus is there now.
After treatment, hepatitis C counts as cured when HCV RNA is still undetectable 12 weeks or more after the treatment ended. Studies often accept people cured this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Autoimmune disease
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Immunosuppression
A weakened immune system. It can come from an illness, such as HIV or some blood cancers, or from medicines that turn the immune system down, for example after an organ transplant or for an autoimmune disease; steroids at higher doses count.
Read whether the line is about a condition or about medicines, and which medicines and doses it means.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes every 2 weeks for 4 months and every 4 weeks for a total of up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may cross over to Group II at the time of disease progression.
Biological: Nivolumab
Patients receive varlilumab IV over 90 minutes every 4 weeks for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes every 2 weeks for 4 months and every 4 weeks for a total of up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Biological: Nivolumab · Drug: Varlilumab
Given IV
Also known as: ABP 206, BCD-263, BMS 936558, BMS-936558, BMS936558, CMAB819, MDX 1106, MDX-1106, MDX1106, NIVO, Nivolumab Biosimilar ABP 206, Nivolumab Biosimilar BCD-263, Nivolumab Biosimilar CMAB819, ONO 4538, ONO-4538, ONO4538, Opdivo
Given IV
Also known as: CDX 1127, CDX-1127, CDX1127, Immunoglobulin G1, Anti-(Human CD Antigen CD27) (Human Monoclonal CDX-1127 Clone 1f5 Heavy Chain), Disulfide with Human Monoclonal CDX-1127 Clone 1f5 Kappa-chain, Dimer
Overall Response Rate
Will be assessed by computed tomography (CT)-based criteria or positron emission tomography (PET)-CT based criteria. A response will be defined as an objective status of partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) for patients evaluated by CT-based criteria and complete metabolic response (CMR) or partial metabolic response (PMR) for patients evaluated by PET-CT based criteria. Exact binomial ninety-five percent confidence intervals for the true success proportion will be calculated in each arm. Comparison of overall response rates between the two treatment groups will be performed using a one-sided Fisher's exact test at significance level 0.15.
Time frame: 2 years
Duration of Response
Defined as the date at which the patient's objective status is first noted to be a PR or CR for patients evaluated by CT-based criteria or CMR or PMR for patients evaluated by PET-CT based criteria to the earliest date progression (documentation of disease progression \[PMD\] or progressive disease \[PD\]) is documented. The distribution of duration of response will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. The comparison of duration of response between two treatment arms will be based on the log-rank test.
Time frame: 2 years
Overall Survival
The distribution of survival time will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. The comparison of overall survival between two treatment arms will be based on the log-rank test.
Time frame: 37 months
Progression Free Survival (PFS)
The distribution of PFS will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. The comparison of progression-free survival between two treatment arms will be based on the log-rank test.
Time frame: 37 months
Proportion of Patients With Grade 3 or Higher Adverse Events
Will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The overall adverse event rates for grade 3 or higher hematologic and non-hematologic adverse events at least possibly related to treatment will be compared between the two treatment groups using the Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test if the data in the contingency table is sparse).
Time frame: 25 months
Change in CD27 Expression in Tissue
Will be assessed by immunohistochemistry. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, overall survival \[OS\]) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests. Logistic regression will be used to model the response rate as a function of treatment and CD27 (as a continuous variable). The distribution of CD27 will be estimated empirically in the entire trial population and used to calculate CD27 values corresponding to each fixed percentile.
Time frame: Baseline up to 100 days after last dose of study drug
Change in Peripheral Blood Immune Cells
Will be assessed by cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF). The relationship between presence/absence of a particular subtype of cell and association with outcomes will be evaluated. Evaluation of particular combinations of immune cells (immune signature) and whether they are predictive of outcome will also be evaluated. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Time frame: Baseline up to 12 weeks
Change in the Identification/Characterization of Intratumoral Immune Cells in Tissue
Will be assessed by immunohistochemistry and CyTOF. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Time frame: Baseline up to time of disease progression
Change in Genetic Alterations of Chromosome 9p24.1 in Tissue
Will be assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The proportion of patients in each of these groups who achieve a response will be evaluated. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Time frame: Baseline up to time of disease progression
Change in Serum Cytokine Profile
Will be assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Time frame: Baseline up to 12 weeks
Change in Mutation Burden in Tissue
Will be assessed by whole exome sequencing. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Time frame: Baseline up to time of disease progression
| Milestone | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 27 | 27 |
| Completed | 25 | 26 |
| Not completed | 2 | 1 |
| Withdrew: Unacceptable chemistry | 0 | 1 |
| Withdrew: Progression prior to treatment | 1 | 0 |
| Withdrew: No treatment per protocol | 1 | 0 |
| Milestone | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 7 | 26 |
| Completed | 7 | 26 |
| Not completed | 0 | 0 |
Will be assessed by computed tomography (CT)-based criteria or positron emission tomography (PET)-CT based criteria. A response will be defined as an objective status of partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) for patients evaluated by CT-based criteria and complete metabolic response (CMR) or partial metabolic response (PMR) for patients evaluated by PET-CT based criteria. Exact binomial ninety-five percent confidence intervals for the true success proportion will be calculated in each arm. Comparison of overall response rates between the two treatment groups will be performed using a one-sided Fisher's exact test at significance level 0.15.
| proportion of participants | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Response Rate | 0.16 (0.045 to 0.361) | 0.08 (0.010 to 0.251) |
Defined as the date at which the patient's objective status is first noted to be a PR or CR for patients evaluated by CT-based criteria or CMR or PMR for patients evaluated by PET-CT based criteria to the earliest date progression (documentation of disease progression \[PMD\] or progressive disease \[PD\]) is documented. The distribution of duration of response will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. The comparison of duration of response between two treatment arms will be based on the log-rank test.
| years | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of Response | NA (NA to NA) | 0.2 (0.2 to NA) |
The distribution of survival time will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. The comparison of overall survival between two treatment arms will be based on the log-rank test.
| Months | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Survival | 8.6 (4.7 to NA) | 10.2 (3.1 to NA) |
The distribution of PFS will be estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. The comparison of progression-free survival between two treatment arms will be based on the log-rank test.
| Months | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|
| Progression Free Survival (PFS) | 2.6 (1.5 to 3.2) | 1.5 (1.1 to 3.2) |
Will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The overall adverse event rates for grade 3 or higher hematologic and non-hematologic adverse events at least possibly related to treatment will be compared between the two treatment groups using the Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test if the data in the contingency table is sparse).
| proportion of patients | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of Patients With Grade 3 or Higher Adverse Events | 0.76 | 0.84 |
Will be assessed by immunohistochemistry. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, overall survival \[OS\]) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests. Logistic regression will be used to model the response rate as a function of treatment and CD27 (as a continuous variable). The distribution of CD27 will be estimated empirically in the entire trial population and used to calculate CD27 values corresponding to each fixed percentile.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Will be assessed by cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF). The relationship between presence/absence of a particular subtype of cell and association with outcomes will be evaluated. Evaluation of particular combinations of immune cells (immune signature) and whether they are predictive of outcome will also be evaluated. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Will be assessed by immunohistochemistry and CyTOF. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Will be assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The proportion of patients in each of these groups who achieve a response will be evaluated. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Will be assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Will be assessed by whole exome sequencing. Will be both graphically and quantitatively summarized and explored. Standard paired comparisons methodologies (Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar's tests) will be used to assess changes in these variables before and after therapy. In addition, baseline values and changes over time in each measure will be explored in relation to clinical outcome. Differences between responders and non-responders will be assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sum (continuous data) or Fisher's exact (categorical data) test. The relationship between each measure and time to event measures (PFS, OS) will be evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models and log-rank tests.
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
Collected over 25 months for adverse events and 37 months for mortality. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group I (Nivolumab) | 3/27 (11.1%) | 10/27 (37%) | 24/27 (88.9%) |
| Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | 5/27 (18.5%) | 12/27 (44.4%) | 24/27 (88.9%) |
| Cross Over to Group II Treatment (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | 0/7 (0%) | 3/7 (42.9%) | 7/7 (100%) |
| Event | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | Cross Over to Group II Treatment (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdominal painGastrointestinal disorders | 0/27 | 1/27 | 2/7 |
| Atrial fibrillationCardiac disorders | 0/27 | 0/27 | 1/7 |
| Sinus tachycardiaCardiac disorders | 0/27 | 0/27 | 1/7 |
| Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhageGastrointestinal disorders | 0/27 | 0/27 | 1/7 |
| MalaiseGeneral disorders | 0/27 | 0/27 | 1/7 |
| HypercalcemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 1/27 | 0/27 | 1/7 |
| DizzinessNervous system disorders | 0/27 | 0/27 | 1/7 |
| HypotensionVascular disorders | 0/27 | 1/27 | 1/7 |
| Gen disord and admin site conds-Oth specGeneral disorders | 2/27 | 2/27 | 0/7 |
| Immune system disorders - Other, specifyImmune system disorders | 2/27 | 0/27 | 0/7 |
| Event | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | Cross Over to Group II Treatment (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lymphocyte count decreasedInvestigations | 9/27 | 12/27 | 6/7 |
| FatigueGeneral disorders | 9/27 | 14/27 | 2/7 |
| AnemiaBlood and lymphatic system disorders | 8/27 | 13/27 | 1/7 |
| NauseaGastrointestinal disorders | 3/27 | 9/27 | 3/7 |
| VomitingGastrointestinal disorders | 2/27 | 5/27 | 3/7 |
| HyperglycemiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 5/27 | 7/27 | 3/7 |
| HypertensionVascular disorders | 1/27 | 0/27 | 3/7 |
| Platelet count decreasedInvestigations | 4/27 | 8/27 | 0/7 |
| AnorexiaMetabolism and nutrition disorders | 3/27 | 8/27 | 1/7 |
| DyspneaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 4/27 | 8/27 | 2/7 |
| Age, Continuous(years) | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median | 67 (21 to 84) | 69 (29 to 86) | 67.5 (21 to 86) |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| Male | 19 | 20 | 39 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 27 | 24 | 51 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Group I (Nivolumab) | Group II (Varlilumab, Nivolumab) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black or African American | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White | 27 | 24 | 51 |
| More than one race | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 0 | 3 | 3 |
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Studies of the drug tested here: Varlilumab
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