Nivolumab in Combination With Plinabulin in Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Plinabulin is a microtubule destabilizing agent (MDA) that inhibits the polymerization of tubulin monomers with resultant vascular disrupting properties. Plinabulin inhibits tumor growth by targeting both angiogenesis and tumor vasculature as well as directly by inducing apoptosis via the Ras-JNK pathway. It also may activate anti-tumor immunity via inducing maturation of dendritic cells (DC) and triggering release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Plinabulin could therefore have a synergic anti-tumor effect when combined with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. This hypothesis has been confirmed in a murine model bearing subcutaneous MC38 colon cancers using other MDAs, including ansamitocin P3, which induces DC maturation similar to that of plinabulin. Plinabulin has been tested in a randomized phase 2 trial in combination of docetaxel and showed similar response rate to that of docetaxel alone, but with a significantly longer duration of response.

Nivolumab is an inhibitor of the programmed cell death receptor-1 checkpoint pathway (PD-1) that has superior activity in NSCLC, regardless of tumor histology, comparing to standard of care. In this study, we plan to combine nivolumab with escalating doses of plinabulin to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and /or recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of the combination. An expansion cohort will be enrolled at RP2D to further assess toxicities and to evaluate preliminary anti-tumor activity.

This is a single-center, phase 1 dose finding trial of plinabulin, combining with FDA approved dose of nivolumab, using a 3+3 design in patients with metastatic NSCLC who progressed after chemotherapy, including a platinum-containing regimen. Patients will receive plinabulin at escalating doses in combination with nivolumab. Doses of plinabulin and nivolumab will be administered as intravenous infusions in 4-week cycles. Patients will receive both medications on Days 1 and 15 and additional dose of plinabulin on Day 8. Plinabulin will be administered 60 minutes after the completion of nivolumab.