Triple Negative Breast NeoplasmsPhase 1NCT02622074
Safety and Efficacy Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment for Participants With Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) (MK-3475-173/KEYNOTE-173)
A Phase 1 study testing Pembrolizumab, Nab-paclitaxel and Anthracycline (doxorubicin) in people with Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms, run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and clinical activity of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in combination with six chemotherapy regimens as neoadjuvant treatment for participants with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
- What is being tested?
- Pembrolizumab, Nab-paclitaxel and Anthracycline (doxorubicin)
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 27 Jan 2016to 18 Nov 2019
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Has previously untreated, locally advanced TNBC.
- Is able to provide 2 core needle biopsies from the primary tumor at screening to the central laboratory and agrees to have a core needle biopsy after single dose pembrolizumab treatment if tumor biopsy is feasible as judged by the investigator.
- Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
- Has adequate organ function.
- Females of childbearing potential must be willing to use adequate contraception for the course of the study through 12 months after the last dose of study drug for participants receiving cyclophosphamide and through 6 months after the last dose of study drug for participants who do not receive cyclophosphamide.
Who cannot join
- Has evidence of metastatic breast cancer, concurrent bilateral invasive breast cancer, or inflammatory breast cancer.
- Has another malignancy within the last 5 years. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative surgery, or in situ cervical cancer.
- Has received prior chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy that targets immune checkpoints, co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory pathways for T cell receptors within the past 12 months.
- 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 the first dose of study drug.
- Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of the first dose of study drug.
- Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years.
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- Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
- Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
- Has known active Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
- Has evidence of current pneumonitis.
- Has a history of non-infectious pneumonitis requiring treatment with steroids or a history of interstitial lung disease.
- Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
- Has significant cardiovascular disease, such as: History of myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome or coronary angioplasty/stenting/bypass grafting within the last 6 months; Congestive heart failure (CHF) New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-IV or history of CHF NYHA class III or IV
- Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the study.
- Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 12 months after the last dose of trial treatment for participants who have received cyclophosphamide, and for six months after the last dose of study medication for participants who have not.
- Has a known hypersensitivity to the components of the study drug or its analogs.
About this study
Official title: A Phase 1b Study to Evaluate Safety and Clinical Activity of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) - (KEYNOTE 173)
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and clinical activity of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in combination with six chemotherapy regimens as neoadjuvant treatment for participants with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- Conditions
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
- Being tested
- Pembrolizumab, Nab-paclitaxel, Anthracycline (doxorubicin), Cyclophosphamide, Carboplatin
- Keywords
- Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD1, PD-1), Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL1, PD-L1), Triple Negative Breast Cancer
- Medical subject headings
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms, Parkinson Disease 4, Autosomal Dominant Lewy Body
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PembrolizumabBiological
Also called MK-3475, KEYTRUDA®
200 mg administered Q3W as an IV infusion.
Nab-paclitaxelDrug
125 mg/m^2 or 100 mg/m^2 administered weekly as an IV infusion, according to allocation.
Anthracycline (doxorubicin)Drug
60 mg/m^2 administered Q3W as an IV injection.
CyclophosphamideDrug
600 mg/m^2 administered Q3W as an IV infusion.
CarboplatinDrug
AUC 6 or AUC5 administered Q3W as an IV infusion, or AUC2 administered weekly as an IV infusion, according to allocation.
PaclitaxelDrug
80 mg/m^2 or 70 mg/m^2 administered weekly as an IV infusion, according to allocation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort A: KNp / KAC | Experimental | Participants receive pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 followed by pembrolizumab 200 mg in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (once every 3 weeks; Q3W) PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 125 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (once each week; QW). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via intravenous (IV) infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin); Drug: Cyclophosphamide |
| Cohort B: KNpCb (Regimen 1) / KAC | Experimental | Participants first receive KNpCb Regimen 1 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 100 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at Area Under the Curve (AUC) 6 in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (Q3W). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin); Drug: Cyclophosphamide; Drug: Carboplatin |
| Cohort C: KNpCb (Regimen 2) / KAC | Experimental | Participants first receive KNpCb Regimen 2 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 125 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 5 in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (Q3W). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin); Drug: Cyclophosphamide; Drug: Carboplatin |
| Cohort D: KNpCb (Regimen 3) / KAC | Experimental | Participants first receive KNpCb Regimen 3 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 125 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin); Drug: Cyclophosphamide; Drug: Carboplatin |
| Cohort E: KTCb (Regimen 1) / KAC | Experimental | Participants first receive KTCb Regimen 1 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS paclitaxel (T) starting at 80mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8, and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 5 in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (Q3W). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin); Drug: Cyclophosphamide; Drug: Carboplatin; Drug: Paclitaxel |
| Cohort F: KTCb (Regimen 2) / KAC | Experimental | Participants first receive KTCb Regimen 2 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS paclitaxel (T) starting at 80mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8, and 15 PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. Receives: Biological: Pembrolizumab; Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin); Drug: Cyclophosphamide; Drug: Carboplatin; Drug: Paclitaxel |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of Participants With Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLTs) Graded Using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 (NCI CTCAE v4.0)
The following events, if considered to be study-treatment-related by the Investigator, were considered a DLT:
- Hematologic:
- Grade 4 neutropenia lasting ≥8 days;
- Febrile neutropenia Grade 3 or Grade 4; or
- Grade 4 thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion, or Grade 3 thrombocytopenia with bleeding
- Non-hematologic:
- Grade 4 toxicity;
- Grade ≥3 symptomatic hepatic toxicities lasting >48 hours, or Grade ≥3 asymptomatic hepatic toxicities lasting ≥7 days; or
- Grade ≥3 non-hematologic, non-hepatic organ toxicity, with exceptions
- Other:
- Any treatment delays for ≥14 days due to unresolved toxicity;
- Grade 5 treatment-related adverse event (AE);
- A dose reduction of study treatment during the DLT evaluation period.
Measured: Cycle 1 Day 1 through end of Cycle 3 and Cycle 6 Day 1 through end of Cycle 7 (Up to ~150 days from first dose of first combination regimen); Each cycle was 21 days.
Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study treatment and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. The number of participants who experienced an AE either prior to or after definitive surgery is presented.
Measured: Up to approximately 28 months (through Interim database cut-off date of 31-May-2018)
Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an Adverse Event (AE)
An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study treatment and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. The number of participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE is presented.
Measured: Up to approximately 28 months (through Interim database cut-off date of 31-May-2018)
Secondary outcomes (10)
Pathological Complete Response (pCR) Rate Using the Definition of ypT0 ypN0 (No Invasive or Noninvasive Residual in Breast or Nodes)
pCR rate (ypT0 ypN0; no invasive or noninvasive residual in breast or nodes) was defined as the rate of absence of residual invasive and in situ cancer on hematoxylin and eosin evaluation of the complete resected breast specimen and all sampled regional lymph nodes following completion of neoadjuvant systemic therapy by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging criteria assessed by local pathologist at the time of definitive surgery. The percentage of participants with a pCR using the definition of ypT0 ypN0 is presented.
Measured: Up to approximately 9 months (at the time of definitive surgery)
Pathological Complete Response (pCR) Rate Using the Definition of ypT0/Tis ypN0 (No Invasive Residual in Breast or Nodes; Noninvasive Breast Residuals Allowed)
pCR rate (ypT0/Tis ypN0; no invasive residual in breast or nodes; noninvasive breast residuals allowed) was defined as the rate of absence of residual invasive cancer on hematoxylin and eosin evaluation of the complete resected breast specimen and all sampled regional lymph nodes following completion of neoadjuvant systemic therapy by AJCC staging criteria assessed by local pathologist at the time of definitive surgery. The percentage of participants with a pCR using the alternative definition of ypT0/Tis ypN0 is presented.
Measured: Up to approximately 9 months (at the time of definitive surgery)
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Investigator Review: First Combination Regimen
ORR was defined as the percentage of participants who achieved a complete response (CR: disappearance of all target lesions) or partial response (PR: at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters [SOD] of target lesions) according to RECIST 1.1 by Investigator review. Because imaging was assessed prior to surgery, a confirmation assessment of CR or PR was not obtained. Participants with missing outcome for objective response were considered non-responders. The percentage of participants who experienced a CR or PR based on RECIST 1.1 following the first combination regimen is presented.
Measured: At the end of Cycle 5 following treatment with the first combination regimen (KNp, KNpCb, or KTCb) (Up to ~4 months); Each cycle was 21 days.
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Investigator Review: Second Combination Regimen
ORR was defined as the percentage of participants who achieved a complete response (CR: disappearance of all target lesions) or partial response (PR: at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters [SOD] of target lesions) according to RECIST 1.1 by Investigator review. Because imaging was assessed prior to surgery, a confirmation assessment of CR or PR was not obtained. Participants with missing outcome for objective response were considered non-responders. The percentage of participants who experienced a CR or PR based on RECIST 1.1 following the second combination regimen is presented.
Measured: After completion of the second combination regimen (KAC; Cycle 9) but prior to surgery (Up to ~9 months); Each cycle was 21 days.
Event-Free Survival (EFS) Rate at Month 6
EFS was defined as the time from the first dose date of study treatment to any of the following events: progression of disease that precludes definitive surgery, disease recurrence (for participants with complete surgical resection), progression (for participants with incomplete surgical resection), or death due to any cause. Participants without documented events were censored at the date of the last disease status assessment. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of participants who were event free at Month 6 are presented (through Final Analysis cut-off of 18-Nov-2019).
Measured: Month 6
Event-Free Survival (EFS) Rate at Month 12
EFS was defined as the time from the first dose date of study treatment to any of the following events: progression of disease that precludes definitive surgery, disease recurrence (for participants with complete surgical resection), progression (for participants with incomplete surgical resection), or death due to any cause. Participants without documented events were censored at the date of the last disease status assessment. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of participants who were event free at Month 12 are presented (through Final Analysis cut-off of 18-Nov-2019).
Measured: Month 12
Event-Free Survival (EFS) Rate at Month 24
EFS was defined as the time from the first dose date of study treatment to any of the following events: progression of disease that precludes definitive surgery, disease recurrence (for participants with complete surgical resection), progression (for participants with incomplete surgical resection), or death due to any cause. Participants without documented events were censored at the date of the last disease status assessment. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of participants who were event free at Month 24 are presented (through Final Analysis cut-off of 18-Nov-2019).
Measured: Month 24
Overall Survival (OS) Rate at Month 6
OS was defined as the time from the first dose date of study treatment to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of participants who were surviving at Month 6 are presented (through Final Analysis cut-off of 18-Nov-2019).
Measured: Month 6
Overall Survival (OS) Rate at Month 12
OS was defined as the time from the first dose date of study treatment to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of participants who were surviving at Month 12 are presented (through Final Analysis cut-off of 18-Nov-2019).
Measured: Month 12
Overall Survival (OS) Rate at Month 24
OS was defined as the time from the first dose date of study treatment to death due to any cause. Participants without documented death at the time of the analysis were censored at the date of the last follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of participants who were surviving at Month 24 are presented (through Final Analysis cut-off of 18-Nov-2019).
Measured: Month 24
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Dec 2015 (estimated)
- Study start27 Jan 2016
- Primary completion31 May 2018
- Study completion18 Nov 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Triple Negative Breast NeoplasmsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLCThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Medical Director, Study director, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02622074
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 3475-173
- Other IDs
- 2015-002405-11, MK-3475-173, KEYNOTE-173, 2015
- Status last verified
- Aug 2020
- First submitted
- 2 Dec 2015
- Last updated
- 10 Sep 2020
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: http://engagezone.msd.com/doc/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf
Publications
Schmid P, Salgado R, Park YH, Munoz-Couselo E, Kim SB, Sohn J, Im SA, Foukakis T, Kuemmel S, Dent R, Yin L, Wang A, Tryfonidis K, Karantza V, Cortes J, Loi S. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment of high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer: results from the phase 1b open-label, multicohort KEYNOTE-173 study. Ann Oncol. 2020 May;31(5):569-581. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.01.072. Epub 2020 Feb 14.
PubMed 32278621Dent R, Cortes J, Park YH, Munoz-Couselo E, Kim SB, Sohn J, Im SA, Holgado E, Foukakis T, Kummel S, Yearley J, Wang A, Nebozhyn M, Huang L, Cristescu R, Jelinic P, Karantza V, Schmid P. Molecular determinants of response to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with high-risk, early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer: exploratory analysis of the open-label, multicohort phase 1b KEYNOTE-173 study. Breast Cancer Res. 2025 Mar 11;27(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s13058-024-01946-y.
PubMed 40069763Perez-Garcia J, Soberino J, Racca F, Gion M, Stradella A, Cortes J. Atezolizumab in the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2020 Sep;20(9):981-989. doi: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1769063. Epub 2020 May 25.
PubMed 32450725
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Sep 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Phase 1b Study to Evaluate Safety and Clinical Activity of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) - (KEYNOTE 173)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02622074
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 3475-173
- Conditions
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
- Keywords
- Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD1, PD-1), Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL1, PD-L1), Triple Negative Breast Cancer
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Merck Sharp & Dohme LLCIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 27 Jan 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2018 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Nov 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Dec 2015 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 24 Oct 2019
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and clinical activity of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in combination with six chemotherapy regimens as neoadjuvant treatment for participants with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 6
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort A: KNp / KAC | Experimental | Biological: Pembrolizumab, Drug: Nab-paclitaxel, Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin), Drug: CyclophosphamideParticipants receive pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 followed by pembrolizumab 200 mg in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (once every 3 weeks; Q3W) PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 125 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (once each week; QW). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via intravenous (IV) infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. |
| Cohort B: KNpCb (Regimen 1) / KAC | Experimental | Biological: Pembrolizumab, Drug: Nab-paclitaxel, Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin), Drug: Cyclophosphamide, Drug: CarboplatinParticipants first receive KNpCb Regimen 1 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 100 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at Area Under the Curve (AUC) 6 in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (Q3W). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. |
| Cohort C: KNpCb (Regimen 2) / KAC | Experimental | Biological: Pembrolizumab, Drug: Nab-paclitaxel, Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin), Drug: Cyclophosphamide, Drug: CarboplatinParticipants first receive KNpCb Regimen 2 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 125 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 5 in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (Q3W). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. |
| Cohort D: KNpCb (Regimen 3) / KAC | Experimental | Biological: Pembrolizumab, Drug: Nab-paclitaxel, Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin), Drug: Cyclophosphamide, Drug: CarboplatinParticipants first receive KNpCb Regimen 3 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS nab-paclitaxel (KNp) starting at 125 mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. |
| Cohort E: KTCb (Regimen 1) / KAC | Experimental | Biological: Pembrolizumab, Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin), Drug: Cyclophosphamide, Drug: Carboplatin, Drug: PaclitaxelParticipants first receive KTCb Regimen 1 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS paclitaxel (T) starting at 80mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8, and 15 (QW) PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 5 in Cycles 2-5 on Day 1 (Q3W). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. |
| Cohort F: KTCb (Regimen 2) / KAC | Experimental | Biological: Pembrolizumab, Drug: Anthracycline (doxorubicin), Drug: Cyclophosphamide, Drug: Carboplatin, Drug: PaclitaxelParticipants first receive KTCb Regimen 2 which consists of: pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg on Cycle 1 Day 1 PLUS paclitaxel (T) starting at 80mg/m^2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8, and 15 PLUS carboplatin (Cb) starting at AUC 2 in Cycles 2-5 on Days 1, 8 and 15 (QW). This will be followed by pembrolizumab (K) 200 mg in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W) PLUS cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m^2 in Cycles 6-9 on Day 1 (Q3W). All treatments will be administered via IV infusion except for doxorubicin (A), which will be administered via IV injection. Each cycle is 21 days. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Has previously untreated, locally advanced TNBC.
- Is able to provide 2 core needle biopsies from the primary tumor at screening to the central laboratory and agrees to have a core needle biopsy after single dose pembrolizumab treatment if tumor biopsy is feasible as judged by the investigator.
- Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
- Has adequate organ function.
- Females of childbearing potential must be willing to use adequate contraception for the course of the study through 12 months after the last dose of study drug for participants receiving cyclophosphamide and through 6 months after the last dose of study drug for participants who do not receive cyclophosphamide.
Key exclusion criteria (16 listed)
- Has evidence of metastatic breast cancer, concurrent bilateral invasive breast cancer, or inflammatory breast cancer.
- Has another malignancy within the last 5 years. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative surgery, or in situ cervical cancer.
- Has received prior chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy that targets immune checkpoints, co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory pathways for T cell receptors within the past 12 months.
- 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 the first dose of study drug.
- Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of the first dose of study drug.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PembrolizumabAlso: MK-3475, KEYTRUDA®200 mg administered Q3W as an IV infusion. | Biological | Cohort A: KNp / KAC, Cohort B: KNpCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort C: KNpCb (Regimen 2) / KAC, Cohort D: KNpCb (Regimen 3) / KAC, Cohort E: KTCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort F: KTCb (Regimen 2) / KAC |
| Nab-paclitaxel125 mg/m^2 or 100 mg/m^2 administered weekly as an IV infusion, according to allocation. | Drug | Cohort A: KNp / KAC, Cohort B: KNpCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort C: KNpCb (Regimen 2) / KAC, Cohort D: KNpCb (Regimen 3) / KAC |
| Anthracycline (doxorubicin)60 mg/m^2 administered Q3W as an IV injection. | Drug | Cohort A: KNp / KAC, Cohort B: KNpCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort C: KNpCb (Regimen 2) / KAC, Cohort D: KNpCb (Regimen 3) / KAC, Cohort E: KTCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort F: KTCb (Regimen 2) / KAC |
| Cyclophosphamide600 mg/m^2 administered Q3W as an IV infusion. | Drug | Cohort A: KNp / KAC, Cohort B: KNpCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort C: KNpCb (Regimen 2) / KAC, Cohort D: KNpCb (Regimen 3) / KAC, Cohort E: KTCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort F: KTCb (Regimen 2) / KAC |
| CarboplatinAUC 6 or AUC5 administered Q3W as an IV infusion, or AUC2 administered weekly as an IV infusion, according to allocation. | Drug | Cohort B: KNpCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort C: KNpCb (Regimen 2) / KAC, Cohort D: KNpCb (Regimen 3) / KAC, Cohort E: KTCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort F: KTCb (Regimen 2) / KAC |
| Paclitaxel80 mg/m^2 or 70 mg/m^2 administered weekly as an IV infusion, according to allocation. | Drug | Cohort E: KTCb (Regimen 1) / KAC, Cohort F: KTCb (Regimen 2) / KAC |
Primary outcome
Number of Participants With Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLTs) Graded Using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 (NCI CTCAE v4.0)
Time frame: Cycle 1 Day 1 through end of Cycle 3 and Cycle 6 Day 1 through end of Cycle 7 (Up to ~150 days from first dose of first combination regimen); Each cycle was 21 days.
The following events, if considered to be study-treatment-related by the Investigator, were considered a DLT: * Hematologic: * Grade 4 neutropenia lasting ≥8 days; * Febrile neutropenia Grade 3 or Grade 4; or * Grade 4 thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion, or Grade 3 thrombocytopenia with bleeding * Non-hematologic: * Grade 4 toxicity; * Grade ≥3 symptomatic hepatic toxicities lasting >48 hours, or Grade ≥3 asymptomatic hepatic toxicities lasting ≥7 days; or * Grade ≥3 non-hematologic, non-hepatic organ toxicity, with exceptions * Other: * Any treatment delays for ≥14 days due to unresolved toxicity; * Grade 5 treatment-related adverse event (AE); * A dose reduction of study treatment during the DLT evaluation period.
Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)
Time frame: Up to approximately 28 months (through Interim database cut-off date of 31-May-2018)
An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study treatment and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. The number of participants who experienced an AE either prior to or after definitive surgery is presented.
Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an Adverse Event (AE)
Time frame: Up to approximately 28 months (through Interim database cut-off date of 31-May-2018)
An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study treatment and which does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. The number of participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE is presented.
10 secondary outcomes
Pathological Complete Response (pCR) Rate Using the Definition of ypT0 ypN0 (No Invasive or Noninvasive Residual in Breast or Nodes)
Time frame: Up to approximately 9 months (at the time of definitive surgery)
Pathological Complete Response (pCR) Rate Using the Definition of ypT0/Tis ypN0 (No Invasive Residual in Breast or Nodes; Noninvasive Breast Residuals Allowed)
Time frame: Up to approximately 9 months (at the time of definitive surgery)
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Investigator Review: First Combination Regimen
Time frame: At the end of Cycle 5 following treatment with the first combination regimen (KNp, KNpCb, or KTCb) (Up to ~4 months); Each cycle was 21 days.
Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as Assessed by Investigator Review: Second Combination Regimen
Time frame: After completion of the second combination regimen (KAC; Cycle 9) but prior to surgery (Up to ~9 months); Each cycle was 21 days.
Event-Free Survival (EFS) Rate at Month 6
Time frame: Month 6
Event-Free Survival (EFS) Rate at Month 12
Time frame: Month 12
Event-Free Survival (EFS) Rate at Month 24
Time frame: Month 24
Overall Survival (OS) Rate at Month 6
Time frame: Month 6
Overall Survival (OS) Rate at Month 12
Time frame: Month 12
Overall Survival (OS) Rate at Month 24
Time frame: Month 24
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Sep 2020.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Results publication: PubMed 32278621Schmid P, Salgado R, Park YH, Munoz-Couselo E, Kim SB, Sohn J, Im SA, Foukakis T, Kuemmel S, Dent R, Yin L, Wang A, Tryfonidis K, Karantza V, Cortes J, Loi S. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment of high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer: results from the phase 1b open-label, multicohort KEYNOTE-173 study. Ann Oncol. 2020 May;31(5):569-581. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.01.072. Epub 2020 Feb 14.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40069763Dent R, Cortes J, Park YH, Munoz-Couselo E, Kim SB, Sohn J, Im SA, Holgado E, Foukakis T, Kummel S, Yearley J, Wang A, Nebozhyn M, Huang L, Cristescu R, Jelinic P, Karantza V, Schmid P. Molecular determinants of response to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with high-risk, early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer: exploratory analysis of the open-label, multicohort phase 1b KEYNOTE-173 study. Breast Cancer Res. 2025 Mar 11;27(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s13058-024-01946-y.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 32450725Perez-Garcia J, Soberino J, Racca F, Gion M, Stradella A, Cortes J. Atezolizumab in the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2020 Sep;20(9):981-989. doi: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1769063. Epub 2020 May 25.
- Merck Oncology Clinical Trial InformationLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. http://engagezone.msd.com/doc/ProcedureAccessClinicalTrialData.pdf
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Medical Director study director
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing Pembrolizumab, Nab-paclitaxel and Anthracycline (doxorubicin) in people with Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms, run by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Sep 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 24 Oct 2019). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of Participants With Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLTs) Graded Using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 (NCI CTCAE v4.0) (time frame: Cycle 1 Day 1 through end of Cycle 3 and Cycle 6 Day 1 through end of Cycle 7 (Up to ~150 days from first dose of first combination regimen); Each cycle was 21 days.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02622074, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Sep 2020.