Open, Randomized, Multinational Phase IIIb Trial Evaluating the Activity and Safety of Cetuximab as 250 mg/m2 Weekly and 500 mg/m2 Every Two Weeks Maintenance Therapy After Platinum-based Chemotherapy in Combination With Cetuximab as First-line Treatment for Subjects With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
Inclusion Criteria:
For inclusion in the trial, all of the following inclusion criteria must be fulfilled:
- Subject has given written informed consents before any trial-related activities are
carried out
- Male or female, ≥18 years of age at the time of informed consent, inpatient or
outpatient
- Diagnosis of histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC, stage IIIB NSCLC with
pleural effusion or stage IV
- Presence of at least 1 uni-dimensionally measurable index lesion, whereby index
lesions must not lie in a previously irradiated area
- ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 at inclusion in the trial
- White blood count ≥3 x 10^9/L with neutrophils ≥1.5 x 10^9/L, platelet count ≥100 x
10^9/L, and hemoglobin ≥5.6 mmol/L (9 g/dL)
- Total bilirubin ≤1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) range
- Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) ≤5 x ULN
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥60 mL/min. The creatinine clearance estimated by
the Cockroft-Gault formula will be used as a surrogate for the GFR
- Effective contraception i.e., barrier method (condoms, diaphragm), oral, injectable
or implant birth control, for both male and female subjects during the whole trial
period and for at least 6 months after the end of trial treatment, if the risk of
conception exists
- Recovered from relevant toxicities prior to inclusion in the trial
Exclusion Criteria:
Subjects are not eligible for this trial if they fulfill any of the following exclusion
criteria:
- Previous exposure to EGFR-targeting therapy
- Previous chemotherapy for NSCLC; neo-adjuvant or adjuvant (radio-)chemotherapy is
allowed if it was finished 6 months prior to start of trial treatment
- Major surgery within 30 days prior to inclusion in the trial
- Prior chest irradiation within 90 days prior to inclusion in the trial (palliative
radiation of bone lesions is allowed)
- Participation in another clinical trial or treatment with any investigational
agent(s) within 30 days prior to inclusion in the trial
- Concurrent chronic systemic immune therapy, chemotherapy for disease other than
cancer, or hormone therapy for the treatment of cancer not indicated in the trial
protocol
- Documented or symptomatic brain metastasis
- Pre-existing ascites Grade ≥2 and/or pericardial effusion Grade ≥2
- Superior vena cava syndrome contra-indicating hydration
- Previous malignancy in the last 5 years except basal cell carcinoma of the skin or
pre-invasive carcinoma of the cervix
- Active infection (infection requiring intravenous [IV] antibiotics), including active
tuberculosis, known and declared human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to inclusion into the trial, uncontrolled
congestive heart failure; or any current Grade 3 or 4 cardio-vascular disorder
despite treatment
- Known hypersensitivity reaction to any of the components of trial treatments
- Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria
(NCI-CTC) Grade ≥2 and/or ototoxicity Grade ≥2, except if due to trauma or mechanical
impairment due to tumor mass
- History of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders including dementia,
seizures, bipolar disorder
- Medical or psychological condition that would not permit the subject to complete the
trial or sign informed consent
- Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity
- Known drug abuse
- Pregnancy (absence to be confirmed by serum β-HCG test) or lactation period