S1605: Phase II trial of atezolizumab in BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Abstract

TPS4591 Background: Radical cystectomy is the standard of care for patients with BCG-unresponsive high risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Based on the reported efficacy of atezolizumab in metastatic urothelial carcinoma and the known expression of PD-L1 expression in NMIBC after BCG therapy, this trial will evaluate the activity of atezolizumab in BCG-unresponsive high risk NMIBC. Methods: This is a single arm phase II trial testing systemic atezolizumab (1200 mg IV) every 3 weeks for one year in 135 patients with BCG-unresponsive high risk NMIBC. The study will enroll 70 patients with CIS (with or without concomitant Ta/T1) and 65 with Ta/T1 only. Patients with CIS at baseline will undergo mandatory repeat biopsy at 6 months, and all other patients only for suspected recurrence. Patients with persistent CIS, high grade Ta/T1 recurrence or progression to muscle invasive or metastatic disease will be taken off treatment. The co-primary endpoints are: (1) complete response (CR) at 6 months in the CIS subgroup, and (2) event-free survival (EFS) at 18 months in the overall population. A hierarchical approach will be used to test the two co-primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints include duration of CR as well as progression-free, cystectomy-free, bladder cancer-specific and overall survival in all patients. Response will be correlated to expression of PD-L1 and CD8 by IHC, and to molecular subtypes and immune signatures by RNA-sequencing. Results: If ≥28 (40%) CIS patients respond, the agent will be considered promising. This design has a significance level of 4.6%, and a power of 96%. If the lower bound of the 90% confidence interval of the 18-month EFS excludes 20%, the investigators will conclude the regimen significantly improves EFS relative to historical data (type I error rate 0.05 and statistical power 0.93). Conclusion:Successful completion of this trial could lead to a new treatment paradigm for patients with BCG-unresponsive high risk NMIBC. Funding: NIH/NCI grants: CA180888, CA180819, CA180820, CA180821, and CA180863. Clinical trial information: NCT02844816.