This phase II trial studies how well giving siltuximab during the reintroduction (rechallenge) of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy works in preventing severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients with cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. The use of ICI therapy may lead to severe irAEs that can affect essentially any organ system in the body. Severe irAEs may lead to the early stopping of life saving treatment. Most patients that stop ICI therapy early will eventually progress and require additional treatment. Sometimes the decision is made to rechallenge with ICI therapy. Many patients who developed severe irAEs during initial ICI therapy are at risk for developing severe irAEs again during the rechallenge. Siltuximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to receptors for a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6). This may help lower the body's immune response and reduce inflammation. Giving siltuximab during ICI rechallenge may help prevent severe irAEs in patients with advanced cancer.
Males or females aged ≥ 18 years
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, or 2
Patients with any advanced cancer types who would benefit from anti-PD1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy rechallenge at the investigator's discretion
Patients must have had prior severe irAE while on ICI monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer treatment. Severe irAE is defined as any grade 2 or higher irAE requiring treatment discontinuation and prednisone > 0.5 milligrams (mg)/kilogram (kg)/day (or equivalent) followed by a taper ≥ 4 weeks. Patients with history of grade 4 severe irAE need to carefully weigh the risks and benefits and might be eligible on a case-by-case basis after discussion with principal investigator (PI)
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Any ≥ grade 3 irAEs in which the risks outweigh the benefits per investigator's discretion (these may include but are not limited to myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, encephalitis, myelitis, or other life-threatening events)
Has active autoimmune disease or irAE requiring systemic treatment with steroids (> 10 mg daily doses of prednisone or equivalent) or other immunosuppressive agents or any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, precludes treatment with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy
Cycle 1 day 1 of the study treatment must be at least 2 weeks beyond high dose systemic corticosteroids (prednisone > 0.5 mg/kg/day or equivalent); chronic steroid use up to 10 mg daily prednisone (or equivalent) is permitted
Yuanquan Yang
Lead sponsor
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sponsor institution