NCT04719988

Brief Summary

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a rare cancer, however its incidence is increasing worldwide. SCCA is mostly induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections (high-risk types such as HPV-16 and -18) and HPV-related oncoproteins (E6 and E7) are expressed in more than 90% of cases. T stage and N stage are recognized prognostic factors for local and/or distant recurrence in SCCA patients treated by CRT. In fact, ≥T3 or ≥N1 anal cancers are associated with as high as 50% disease recurrence rate at 2 years. Since 1996 when concomitant radiotherapy and MMC (mytomicin C) and 5-FU-based chemotherapy demonstrated superiority to radiotherapy alone, no significant progress has been achieved in patients with locally advanced SCCA. Still, phase III study by James et al. reported in 2013 showed that prognosis of SCCA patients treated with this regimen can be improved probably due to a better tumor classification, more precise radiological methods, known as "Will Rogers phenomenon". Based on the above, investigators have designed this phase II trial assessing the feasibility and efficacy of Ezabenlimab (BI 754091) and mDCF chemotherapy combination followed by:

  • standard chemoradiotherapy in case of low response to induction treatment (\<30% by RECIST criteria) or
  • additional 2 cycles of mDCF and 1 cycle of Ezabenlimab (BI 754091) followed by hypofractionated radiotherapy in case of high response (≥ 30% by RECIST criteria) in SCCA patients with high-risk locally advanced (stage III) disease. In summary, the first innovative aspect of this research program is to provide a valuable proof of concept study evaluating the feasibility to combine radiotherapy, chemotherapies (docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) and Ezabenlimab (BI 754091) in patients with stage III squamous cell anal carcinoma. INTERACT-ION study will provide evidence that Ezabenlimab (BI 754091) acts in synergy with mDCF to improve complete response rate, and both with hypofractionated radiotherapy to improve the disease-free survival enhancing TH1 and CD8 T cell immunity.

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
55

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_2

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2022

Typical duration for phase_2

Geographic Reach
1 country

10 active sites

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 19, 2021

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 22, 2021

Completed
12 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 4, 2022

Completed
2.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 21, 2024

Completed
1.6 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 5, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

December 20, 2024

Status Verified

November 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

2.9 years

First QC Date

January 19, 2021

Last Update Submit

December 19, 2024

Conditions

Keywords

immunotherapyradiotherapychemotherapieanal cancer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Clinical complete response (cCR) at 10 months

    The primary endpoint is the Clinical complete response (cCR) 10 months from the treatment initiation (the best time to evaluate the local response is 26 weeks from the commencement of standard CRT. In this protocol, with the neoadjuvant treatment, additional 14 weeks are necessary; ie 10 months). cCR rate at 10 months is defined as the number of patients alive without clinically detectable lesion and no residual disease by MRI or CT scan assessment at 10 months divided by the overall number of patients evaluable for cCR status at 10 months. A patient is evaluable for cCR status at 10 months if he dies during the 10 months of follow up or if he is alive with a RECIST evaluation available at 10 months.

    10 months

Study Arms (1)

Experimental

EXPERIMENTAL

Induction treatment * Modified DCF: every 2 weeks for 8 cycles Docetaxel (40 mg/m², day 1), Cisplatin (40 mg/m², day 1) , 5-FU (1200 mg/m²/day for 2 days) * Ezabenlimab: 240 mg intravenous, every 3 weeks for 3 cycles In case of tumor response: * Two additional cycles of mDCF and one additional cycle of Ezabenlimab (Q3W). * Hypofractionated radiotherapy * Ezabenlimab: 240 mg intravenous, every 3 weeks for 7 cycles In absence of tumor response: o Chemoradiotherapy (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy \[IMRT\]) treatment: Chemoradiotherapy using IMRT will begin 3-4 weeks following the last cycle of induction phase, in the absence of toxicities of grade 1 and/or management of toxicities. It will last 7 weeks and will consist of: • Standard dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks followed by a sequential boost of 14.4 Gy in 8 sessions, Concomitantly given with: * Capecitabine (825 mg/m²/orally twice daily) from Monday to Friday, * Mitomycin C (10 mg/m² Day 1)

Biological: Blood sample collectionProcedure: Biopsy

Interventions

A total of 9 EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) tubes will be collected at each time point to perform: PBMC collection: 6 EDTA tubes of 6 ml of peripheral blood mononuclear cell \[PBMC\] will be sent to the central laboratory (Biomonitoring Platform of Besançon, CHRU de Besançon located at Etablissement Français du Sang) at room temperature within 24 hours via an approved carrier for their processing, storage and immunomonitoring analysis. A sending sheet of the samples will be attached to each single sample. Plasma collection: One 6 ml EDTA tube should be frozen in each investigation center for plasma collection. Plasma for circulating tumoral DNA (ctDNA) collection: Two 4 ml EDTA tube should be frozen in each investigation center for ctDNA collection.

Experimental
BiopsyPROCEDURE

A tumor biopsy will be performed at 2 months after enrollment.

Experimental

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Signed and dated informed consent,
  • Age ≥18 years,
  • Ability to comply with the study protocol in the Investigator's judgment,
  • Performance status ECOG-WHO ≤ 1,
  • Histologically proved squamous cell anal carcinoma,
  • Locally advanced disease defined as:
  • Stage III (TxN1 or T4N0). Lymph node can be considered positive if one of the following criteria is satisfied:
  • Enlargement (largest short-axis diameter \> 1 cm for mesorectal nodes, and \> 1.5 cm for other nodes) OR,
  • Heterogeneity or necrosis OR,
  • Irregular contours OR,
  • Strong enhancement at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) OR,
  • Positivity on positron emission tomography (PET) scan,
  • Patient eligible to the mDCF regimen,
  • Adequate hematologic and end-organ function: defined by the following laboratory test results obtained within 7 days prior to initiation of study treatment:
  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 X 109/L (1500/µL),
  • +8 more criteria

You may not qualify if:

  • Previously received chemotherapy or pelvic radiotherapy,
  • Previously received anti-tumor immunotherapy (HPV vaccination is allowed),
  • Metastatic disease,
  • Patient with any medical or psychiatric condition or disease, which would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study,
  • Pregnancy, breast-feeding or absence/refusal of adequate contraception for fertile patients during the period of treatment and for 6 months from the last treatment administration; men must refrain from donating sperm during this same period. In addition, men who are sexually active with woman of childbearing potential will be instructed to adhere to contraception for a period of 7 months after the last treatment administration,
  • Female participants of childbearing potential and male participants with partners of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of birth control (i.e., pregnancy rate of less than 1% per year) during the study, A woman is considered to be of childbearing potential if she is postmenarcheal, has not reached a postmenopausal state (≥ 12 continuous months of amenorrhea with no identified cause other than menopause), and has not undergone surgical sterilization (removal of ovaries and/or uterus),
  • Contraceptive methods that result in a low failure rate when used consistently and correctly include methods such as combined hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal), progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable), some intrauterine devices, intrauterine hormone-releasing stem, true sexual abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant), bilateral tubal occlusion, or a female partner who is not of childbearing potential or a male partner who has had a vasectomy. Women and female partners using hormonal contraceptive must also use a barrier method i.e. condom or occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps),
  • Patient under guardianship, curatorship, or under the protection of justice
  • Inadequate organ functions: uncontrolled cardiac condition, known cardiac failure, unstable coronaropathy, respiratory failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
  • Diabetes with vascular or neurovascular complications,
  • Preexistent peripheral neuropathy or impaired audition,
  • Active hepatitis B virus (HBV) or active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (chronic or acute), defined as having a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test at screening. Patients with a past or resolved HBV infection, defined as having a negative HBsAg test and a positive total HBV core antibody (HBcAb) test at screening, are eligible for the study. Active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined as having a positive HCV antibody test followed by a positive HCV RNA test at screening. The HCV RNA test will be performed only for patients who have a positive HCV antibody test,
  • Active tuberculosis,
  • Concomitant treatment with CYP3A4 inhibitor like ritonavir, indinavir, ketoconazole, etc,
  • Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to any of the study chemotherapy drugs (taxanes, cisplatin, 5-FU, mitomycin, capecitabine) and dihydro pyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficit,
  • +18 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (10)

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon

Besançon, 25000, France

Location

Centre georges-François Leclerc

Dijon, 21000, France

Location

Hôpital Franco-Britannique

Levallois-Perret, France

Location

Centre Léon Bérard

Lyon, 69000, France

Location

Hôpital Privé Jean Mermoz

Lyon, 69000, France

Location

Hôpital Nord Franche-Comté

Montbéliard, France

Location

Centre Antoine Lacassagne

Nice, France

Location

Hôpital Saint Louis

Paris, 75000, France

Location

CHU de Poitiers

Poitiers, France

Location

CHU Robert Debré

Reims, France

Location

Related Publications (4)

  • Kim S, Francois E, Andre T, Samalin E, Jary M, El Hajbi F, Baba-Hamed N, Pernot S, Kaminsky MC, Bouche O, Desrame J, Zoubir M, Ghiringhelli F, Parzy A, De La Fouchardiere C, Smith D, Deberne M, Spehner L, Badet N, Adotevi O, Anota A, Meurisse A, Vernerey D, Taieb J, Vendrely V, Buecher B, Borg C. Docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil chemotherapy for metastatic or unresectable locally recurrent anal squamous cell carcinoma (Epitopes-HPV02): a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Aug;19(8):1094-1106. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30321-8. Epub 2018 Jul 2.

    PMID: 30042063BACKGROUND
  • Kim S, Meurisse A, Spehner L, Stouvenot M, Francois E, Buecher B, Andre T, Samalin E, Jary M, Nguyen T, El Hajbi F, Baba-Hamed N, Pernot S, Kaminsky MC, Bouche O, Desrame J, Zoubir M, Ghiringhelli F, Parzy A, de la Fouchardiere C, Boulbair F, Lakkis Z, Klajer E, Jacquin M, Taieb J, Vendrely V, Vernerey D, Borg C. Pooled analysis of 115 patients from updated data of Epitopes-HPV01 and Epitopes-HPV02 studies in first-line advanced anal squamous cell carcinoma. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2020 Dec 4;12:1758835920975356. doi: 10.1177/1758835920975356. eCollection 2020.

    PMID: 33329760BACKGROUND
  • Kim S, Boustani J, Iseas S, Vernerey D, Evesque L, Quero L, Ghiringhelli F, Coutzac C, Bouche O, Chibaudel B, Vernet C, Vienot A, Tougeron D, Nguyen T, Rebucci-Peixoto M, Meurisse A, Chennoufi S, Maritaz C, Borg C; INTERACT-ION Study Team. Ezabenlimab and induction chemotherapy followed by adaptive chemoradiotherapy in patients with stage 3 squamous cell anal carcinoma (INTERACT-ION): an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2025 Dec;26(12):1626-1637. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00605-9. Epub 2025 Nov 4.

  • Kim S, Boustani J, Vernerey D, Vendrely V, Evesque L, Francois E, Quero L, Ghiringhelli F, de la Fouchardiere C, Dahan L, Bouche O, Chibaudel B, Hajbi FE, Vernet C, Rebucci-Peixoto M, Feuersinger A, Maritaz C, Borg C. Phase II INTERACT-ION study: ezabenlimab (BI 754091) and mDCF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) followed by chemoradiotherapy in patients with Stage III squamous cell anal carcinoma. Front Oncol. 2022 Aug 24;12:918499. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.918499. eCollection 2022.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anus Neoplasms

Interventions

Biopsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rectal NeoplasmsColorectal NeoplasmsIntestinal NeoplasmsGastrointestinal NeoplasmsDigestive System NeoplasmsNeoplasms by SiteNeoplasmsDigestive System DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesIntestinal DiseasesAnus DiseasesRectal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

CytodiagnosisCytological TechniquesClinical Laboratory TechniquesDiagnostic Techniques and ProceduresDiagnosisSpecimen HandlingDiagnostic Techniques, SurgicalSurgical Procedures, OperativeInvestigative Techniques

Study Officials

  • Stefano KIM, Pr

    CHU Besançon

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 19, 2021

First Posted

January 22, 2021

Study Start

January 4, 2022

Primary Completion

November 21, 2024

Study Completion

July 5, 2026

Last Updated

December 20, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-11

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations