Intrathecal Double Checkpoint Inhibition

Last updated: September 28, 2025
Sponsor: University of Zurich
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

1

Condition

Neoplasm Metastasis

Melanoma

Treatment

intrathecal nivolumab and intrathecal ipilimumab

Clinical Study ID

NCT05598853
IT-IO (CA209-6K7)
  • Ages 18-100
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The objective of the present study is to determine the feasibility and to explore anti-tumor activity of intrathecal double immune checkpoint inhibition for patients with newly diagnosed leptomeningeal metastases from non-small cell lung cancer without driver mutation or melanoma.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Newly diagnosed confirmed or probable leptomeningeal metastases according toEuropean Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) - European Society for Medicaloncology (ESMO) criteria (Le Rhun et al., 2017).

  • Histologically confirmed (from primary tumor or from a metastatic lesion, includingin the brain) non-small cell lung cancer without actionable oncogenic drivermutation or melanoma. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression status (fromprimary tumor or from a metastatic lesion, including brain) is optional, but shouldbe documented if available

  • Requirements for patients with non-small cell lung cancer: non-small cell lungcancer without a specified targetable oncogenic driver alteration: sensitisingEpidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation (exon 19-del and 21-L858R),anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) or ROS proto-oncogene-1 (ROS1) rearrangement.

  • Clinically eligible for systemic immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab at thetime of enrolment as judged by the investigator. If already initiated, the systemictreatment must be well tolerated, without common terminology criteria for adverseevents (CTCAE) grade 3 or more toxicity, and there must be no evidence of systemicprogression and no indication for whole brain radiotherapy. Intrathecalimmunotherapy alone may be acceptable for exceptional patients after discussion withthe coordinators of the study. Systemic immunotherapy can be started later in thesepatients based on investigator decision.

  • Patients previously treated with systemic chemotherapy must have received the lastdose at least 21 days prior to treatment initiation, patients who have receivedanother investigational agent must have received the last treatment at least 14 daysprior to treatment initiation.

  • Age of 18 years or older on day of signing informed consent, female or male.

  • Karnofsky performance status of 60 or more.

  • Life expectancy >8 weeks. Patients with rapidly progressive systemic disease are noteligible.

  • Patients may receive steroids to control symptoms related to central nervous systeminvolvement, but the dose must be stable or decreasing and < 4 mg per 24 hours ofdexamethasone (or equivalent) in the last 7 days. Patients should experiencestability of neurological symptoms for at least 7 days. Physiologic replacementdoses of steroids are permitted.

  • Cerebrospinal MRI criteria (on the baseline MRI, performed within 14 days prior tostudy treatment initiation)

  • MRI can be normal or can show leptomeningeal metastases, including nodules <0.5cm diameter largest diameter (or more if stereotactic radiosurgery is planned)

  • No evidence of cerebrospinal fluid flow obstruction at the discretion of theinvestigator

  • Co-existing asymptomatic brain metastases <2 cm diameter are permitted. Largerasymptomatic or oligosymptomatic brain metastases are permitted if they areplanned to be treated by stereotactic radiosurgery

  • Central nervous system radiotherapy criteria:

  • Focal brain radiotherapy by stereotactic radiotherapy is allowed for meningealnodules > 5 mm diameter or concomitant brain metastases. The treated lesionscannot be used as a target for the evaluation of the study treatment

  • Prior brain focal radiotherapy for central nervous system metastases ispermitted if completed at least 14 days prior to enrolment, but the treatedlesions cannot be used as a target for the evaluation of the study treatment

  • Planned whole brain radiotherapy is not allowed

  • Prior whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastases is permitted if terminatedat least 3 months prior enrolment.

  • Planned or prior craniospinal irradiation is not allowed

  • Women of childbearing potential, including women who had their last menstruation inthe last 2 years, must have a negative urinary or serum pregnancy test within 24hours before the first dose of study treatment.

  • Ability to understand the requirements of the study, provide written informedconsent and authorization of use and disclosure of protected health information, andagree to abide by the study restrictions and return for the required assessments.

  • Written informed consent for study participation must be signed and dated by thepatient and the investigator prior to any study-related intervention.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Leptomeningeal metastases related to primary tumors other than non-small cell lungcancer without driver mutation or melanoma.

  • Inability to undergo craniospinal MRI evaluation.

  • Progressive parenchymal brain metastases thought to require whole brainradiotherapy.

  • Contra-indication to lumbar puncture or to implantation of a ventricular device.

  • Prior intrathecal chemotherapy, intrathecal immunotherapy or intrathecal targetedtherapy.

  • Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (except if intrathecal therapy is administered via aventricular device with an ON/OFF option).

  • Condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (> 4 mg dailydexamethasone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 7 days ofstudy drug administration. Inhaled or topical steroids and adrenal replacement doses < 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents are permitted in the absence of activeautoimmune disease.

  • Patients with a history of pneumonitis or previous non-hematological grade >2toxicity under previous immunotherapy treatment.

  • Active infection (systemic or central nervous system) within 7 days prior toinitiation of the study drug.

  • Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e., with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressivedrugs). Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroidreplacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considereda form of systemic treatment.

  • Known positive test for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBV sAg) or hepatitis Cvirus ribonucleic acid (HCV antibody) indicating acute or active chronic infection.

  • Known history of testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or knownacquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) even if fully immunocompetent onantiretroviral therapy due to the unknown effects of HIV on the immune response tocombined nivolumab plus ipilimumab or the unique toxicity spectrum of these drugs inpatients with HIV infection.

  • Use of vaccines containing live virus for prevention of infectious disease within 12weeks prior to study drug.

  • History of allergy to study drug components and history of severe hypersensitivityreaction to any monoclonal antibody.

  • Concurrent treatment with other systemic cancer-derived pharmacotherapies is notallowed. No other concomitant intrathecal therapy is allowed.

  • Any investigational anticancer therapy other than those under investigation in thisstudy.

  • Judgment by the investigator that the patient should not participate in the study ifthe patient is unlikely to comply with study procedures, restrictions andrequirements.

  • Intention to become pregnant during the course of the study. Women who are pregnant.

  • Women who are breast feeding and who do not agree to discontinue nursing prior tothe first study treatment and for the period defined in the protocol.

  • Sexually active men and women of childbearing potential who are not willing to usean effective contraceptive method during the study.

Study Design

Total Participants: 26
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: intrathecal nivolumab and intrathecal ipilimumab
Phase: 1
Study Start date:
November 25, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2025

Study Description

The treatment regimen within the IT-IO study consists of intrathecal administration of nivolumab/ipilimumab in combination with systemic combined nivolumab/ipilimumab.

The scheme of administration of systemic nivolumab/ipilimumab corresponds to the current standard of care for non-small cell lung cancer and for melanoma patients.

Connect with a study center

  • University Hospital Zurich

    Zurich 2657896, Canton of Zurich 2657895
    Switzerland

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Basel

    Basel,
    Switzerland

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Basel

    Basel 2661604,
    Switzerland

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Geneva

    Geneva,
    Switzerland

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Geneva

    Geneva 2660646,
    Switzerland

    Site Not Available

  • Cantonal Hospital St Gallen

    St Gallen,
    Switzerland

    Site Not Available

  • University Hospital Zurich

    Zurich,
    Switzerland

    Site Not Available

Map preview placeholder

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.