CClinicalTrials.gg
TerminatedNCT03307759SABRseqUpdated Sep 15, 2025Results posted

Sequencing of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy in Combination With PD-1 Blockade Using Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

A Phase 1 interventional study of Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy (SABR) in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, sponsored by Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia. Terminated at 1 site in Australia. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-09-15.

Sponsored by Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia · Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment

Why this study was terminated
Slow patient accrual
Phase
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
13
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This investigator driven Phase Ib study will examine the safety, efficacy and biological effects of two schedules of pembrolizumab, an antibody targeted against anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), which will be given either before or after stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for metastatic NSCLC.

02

Conditions studied

  • Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
03

Who can participate

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

Inclusion criteria

  1. Have provided written informed consent for the trial.
  2. Be ≥ 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent.
  3. Have at least one lesion not planned for SABR that is measurable disease based on RECIST 1.1.
  4. Patients must have a histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
  5. Patients with disease previously untreated with systemic therapy must have ≥ 50% PD-L1 staining and patients who have previously received systemic therapy must have ≥ 1% PD-L1 staining on immunohistochemistry
  6. Patients must have at least 1-3 lesions suitable for treatment with stereotactic radiotherapy.
  7. Be willing to provide tissue from a newly obtained core or excisional biopsy of a tumour lesion where feasible. Newly-obtained is defined as a specimen obtained up to 12 weeks prior to randomisation. Patients for whom newly-obtained samples cannot be provided (e.g. inaccessible or patient safety concern) may submit an archived specimen only upon agreement from the study principal investigators.
  8. Have a performance status of 0-1 on the ECOG Performance Scale (see Appendix 1).
  9. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in table 3 below, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days of randomisation.

    Table 3 Adequate Organ Function Laboratory Values

    Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5x109/L Platelets≥100x109L Haemoglobin ≥90 g/L without transfusion or EPO dependency (within 7 days of assessment)

    Serum creatinine OR Measured or calculated creatinine clearance (GFR can also be used in place of creatinine or CrCl) ≤1.5 X upper limit of normal (ULN) OR ≥30 mL/min for patients with creatinine levels > 1.5 X institutional ULN

    Serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 X ULN OR Direct bilirubin ≤ ULN for patients with total bilirubin levels > 1.5 ULN AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT)≤ 2.5 X ULN OR ≤ 5 X ULN for patients with liver metastases

    International Normalized Ratio (INR) or Prothrombin Time (PT) Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) ≤1.5 X ULN unless patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants ≤1.5 X ULN unless patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants

  10. Life expectancy > 3 months.
  11. Be willing and able to comply with all study requirements, including treatment, attending assessments and follow-up.
  12. Female patient of childbearing potential should have a negative urine or serum pregnancy within 7 days of randomisation. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required.
  13. Female patients of childbearing potential should be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication (See Section 8.10). Patients of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for > 1 year.
  14. Male patients should agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Has had previous high dose radiotherapy (biological equivalent of >30Gy in 10#) to an area to be treated which includes vertebral bodies (see below).

    Note: Previous high dose radiotherapy is defined as a biological equivalent dose to above that of 30 Gy in 10 fractions using an alpha/beta ratio (50) of 3.

    Where a patient has received radiotherapy to an equivalent or lower dose than defined above, stereotactic radiotherapy of the area may be considered. In doing so, assessment of the volume and total dose received by any overlap region must be made, and documented by generating a cumulative plan incorporating both the previous and current treatment fields. It is the treating radiation oncologist's responsibility to review both the current plan and the cumulative plan inclusive of previous radiotherapy.

  2. Has had previous thoracic radiotherapy of > 36Gy within the 6 months prior to randomisation.
  3. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Patients with small asymptomatic or previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for intracranial neurological symptoms at least 7 days prior to trial randomisation. This exception does not include leptomeningeal disease which is excluded regardless of clinical stability.
  4. Has evidence of Spinal Cord Compression.
  5. Has a Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score ≥ 7 unless lesion reviewed by a neurosurgical service and considered stable (see Appendix 2).
  6. Requires surgical fixation of bone lesion for stability. All surgical fixation and instrumentation must be completed before randomisation on study.
  7. Is currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of randomisation.
  8. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency.
  9. Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis).
  10. Has a hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab or any of its excipients.
  11. Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to randomisation or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
  12. Has diagnosed and/or treated additional malignancy within 5 years prior to randomisation with the exception of: curatively treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, curatively treated early stage cervical cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer with no evidence of active disease. Other exceptions may be considered following consultation with the principal investigator
  13. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g. thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
  14. Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
  15. Has had any systemic anti-cancer therapy or radiation therapy within 4 weeks prior to randomisation
  16. Has known interstitial lung disease
  17. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
  18. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the patient's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the patient to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.
  19. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.
  20. Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent.
  21. Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).
  22. Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected).
  23. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of randomisation. Note: Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally inactivated flu vaccines and are allowed; however intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu- Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines, and are not allowed. -
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
13 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    SABR plus pembrolizumab

    SABR followed by pembrolizumab

    Drug: Pembrolizumab · Radiation: Radiotherapy (SABR)

  • Active comparator
    Pembrolizumab plus SABR

    Pembrolizumab followed by SABR after cycle 1

    Drug: Pembrolizumab · Radiation: Radiotherapy (SABR)

Interventions

  • DrugPembrolizumab

    Pembrolizumab

  • RadiationRadiotherapy (SABR)

    Radiotherapy

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Adverse Events Measured Using CTCAE Version 4.03

    Number of participants with grade 3 treatment related adverse events as determined using CTCAE version 4.03 criteria. Grade 3 treatment-related events are high grade toxicities.

    Time frame: Up to 24 months after commencement of treatment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Overall Response (CR + PR) Assessed Using RECIST 1.1

    Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.1) for target lesions and assessed by CT: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), \>=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR.

    Time frame: Assessed up to 24 months

  2. Number of Participants With Overall Response (irCR + irPR) Assessed Using irRECIST

    Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (irRECIST) for all lesions and assessed by CT: irComplete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; irPartial Response (PR), \>=30% decrease in TMTB; Overall Response (OR) = irCR + irPR.

    Time frame: Assessed up to 24 months

  3. Number of Participants With Overall Response (CMR + PMC) Assessed Using PERCIST1.0

    Per PERCIST 1.0 Criteria for all lesions and assessed by PET/CT: Complete Metabolic Response (CMR), complete resolution of 18F-FDG uptake; Partial Metabolic Response (PMR), \>=30% decrease in target measurable tumour 18F-FDG SUL peak; Overall Response (OR) = CMR + PMR.

    Time frame: Assessed up to 24 months

  4. Number of Participants With Overall Response (CMRv + PMRv) Assessed Using Peter Mac Metabolic Response Criteria

    Per Peter Mac Metabolic Response Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (irRECIST) for a lesion and assessed by PET/CT: Complete Metabolic Response (CMRv), FDG activity within tumour site decreased to equal or less than adjacent soft tissue; Partial Metabolic Response (PMRv), any appreciable reduction in intensity of tumour FDG update or in tumour volume; Overall Response (OR) = CMRv + PMRv.

    Time frame: Assessed up to 24 months

  5. Percentage of Participants With Overall Survival

    From randomisation until the date of death from any cause assessed up to the date when the last patient has their 24 months assessment

    Time frame: 24 months

  6. Percentage of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)

    From randomisation until the date of first progression or until the date of death from any cause, whichever occurs first, assessed up to the date when the last patient has their 12 months assessment

    Time frame: 12 months

06

Results

Posted Sep 15, 2025

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Started58
Completed58
Not completed00

Outcome measures

PrimaryAdverse Events Measured Using CTCAE Version 4.03

Number of participants with grade 3 treatment related adverse events as determined using CTCAE version 4.03 criteria. Grade 3 treatment-related events are high grade toxicities.

Time frame:
Up to 24 months after commencement of treatment
Reported as:
Number · participants with G3 TRAEs.
Adverse Events Measured Using CTCAE Version 4.03
participants with G3 TRAEs.SABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Adverse Events Measured Using CTCAE Version 4.0301
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Overall Response (CR + PR) Assessed Using RECIST 1.1

Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.1) for target lesions and assessed by CT: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), \>=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR.

Time frame:
Assessed up to 24 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants With Overall Response (CR + PR) Assessed Using RECIST 1.1
ParticipantsSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Number of Participants With Overall Response (CR + PR) Assessed Using RECIST 1.144
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Overall Response (irCR + irPR) Assessed Using irRECIST

Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (irRECIST) for all lesions and assessed by CT: irComplete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; irPartial Response (PR), \>=30% decrease in TMTB; Overall Response (OR) = irCR + irPR.

Time frame:
Assessed up to 24 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants With Overall Response (irCR + irPR) Assessed Using irRECIST
ParticipantsSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Number of Participants With Overall Response (irCR + irPR) Assessed Using irRECIST44
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Overall Response (CMR + PMC) Assessed Using PERCIST1.0

Per PERCIST 1.0 Criteria for all lesions and assessed by PET/CT: Complete Metabolic Response (CMR), complete resolution of 18F-FDG uptake; Partial Metabolic Response (PMR), \>=30% decrease in target measurable tumour 18F-FDG SUL peak; Overall Response (OR) = CMR + PMR.

Time frame:
Assessed up to 24 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants With Overall Response (CMR + PMC) Assessed Using PERCIST1.0
ParticipantsSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Number of Participants With Overall Response (CMR + PMC) Assessed Using PERCIST1.033
SecondaryNumber of Participants With Overall Response (CMRv + PMRv) Assessed Using Peter Mac Metabolic Response Criteria

Per Peter Mac Metabolic Response Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (irRECIST) for a lesion and assessed by PET/CT: Complete Metabolic Response (CMRv), FDG activity within tumour site decreased to equal or less than adjacent soft tissue; Partial Metabolic Response (PMRv), any appreciable reduction in intensity of tumour FDG update or in tumour volume; Overall Response (OR) = CMRv + PMRv.

Time frame:
Assessed up to 24 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Participants With Overall Response (CMRv + PMRv) Assessed Using Peter Mac Metabolic Response Criteria
ParticipantsSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Number of Participants With Overall Response (CMRv + PMRv) Assessed Using Peter Mac Metabolic Response Criteria34
SecondaryPercentage of Participants With Overall Survival

From randomisation until the date of death from any cause assessed up to the date when the last patient has their 24 months assessment

Time frame:
24 months
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants With Overall Survival
percentage of participantsSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Percentage of Participants With Overall Survival80 (20 to 97)50 (15 to 77)
SecondaryPercentage of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)

From randomisation until the date of first progression or until the date of death from any cause, whichever occurs first, assessed up to the date when the last patient has their 12 months assessment

Time frame:
12 months
Reported as:
Number · percentage of participants
Percentage of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)
percentage of participantsSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Percentage of Participants With Progression Free Survival (PFS)60 (13 to 88)43 (10 to 73)

Adverse events

Collected over Up to 2 years.. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
SABR Plus Pembrolizumab1/5 (20%)2/5 (40%)0/5 (0%)
Pembrolizumab Plus SABR4/8 (50%)3/8 (37.5%)0/8 (0%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventSABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABR
Cortical thinningMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/50/8
Hip painMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/50/8
Pericardial effusionCardiac disorders1/50/8
Reaccumulation of pericardial effusionCardiac disorders1/50/8
Diabetic ketoacidosisMetabolism and nutrition disorders0/51/8
Non ST elevation myocardial infarctCardiac disorders0/51/8
FatigueGeneral disorders0/51/8

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)SABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABRTotal
Mean62 ± 1068 ± 866 ± 9
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)SABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABRTotal
Female415
Male178
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected(Participants)SABR Plus PembrolizumabPembrolizumab Plus SABRTotal
Count of participants——0
07

Study locations

1 site
  • Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
    Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
08

References and documents

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Sep 11, 2018

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03307759
Lead sponsor
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 12, 2017
Start date
Dec 7, 2017
Primary completion
Jan 31, 2022
Completion
Jan 31, 2022
Results posted
Sep 15, 2025
Last update
Sep 15, 2025

Oversight

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

Not currently enrolling

This study is terminated, as verified in Aug 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion