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PD-L1/PD-1 Inhibitor

Fasting + PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors for Skin Cancer

Phase 1
Recruiting
Led By Gino K In, MD
Research Sponsored by University of Southern California
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
No more than 2 lines of prior systemic therapy (not including neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy)
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
Must not have
Prior treatment with any agent that blocks the PD-1 or PD-L1 pathway
Immunosuppressive systemic corticosteroids equivalent to prednisone 10 mg or greater in the 14 days prior to the first dose of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 3 cycles (each cycle is 21 days)
Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial is testing the effects of fasting before treatment with a PD-L1 or PD-1 inhibitor for skin cancer.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults with advanced or metastatic skin cancer recommended to receive PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor immunotherapy. They must have adequate organ function, no more than two prior systemic therapies, and a good performance status. Women and men should agree to use contraception during the study. Exclusions include allergies to similar drugs, diabetes, recent significant weight loss without clear cause, other ongoing treatments or surgeries, active autoimmune diseases requiring treatment in the past 2 years, brain metastases, uncontrolled illnesses that could affect compliance.
What is being tested?
The trial tests if short-term fasting before taking PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (like pembrolizumab or atezolizumab) can reduce side effects and improve effectiveness against advanced skin malignancy. It studies how well patients tolerate fasting combined with these immunotherapies which are designed to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors may include fatigue, nausea, itching or rash; inflammation of organs like lungs or intestines; hormonal gland problems leading to changes in mood or behavior; infusion reactions; liver problems; and increased risk of infections.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have had 2 or fewer treatments for my cancer, not counting initial treatments.
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I am fully active or can carry out light work.
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My kidney function is within the required range.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have been treated with drugs that target PD-1 or PD-L1.
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I haven't taken high doses of steroids in the last 2 weeks.
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I have fainted due to not eating or have a condition that makes fasting unsafe.
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I do not have any serious illnesses or social situations that would stop me from following the study's requirements.
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I haven't taken immune system drugs within the last 4 weeks.
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I have had a solid organ or bone marrow transplant.
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I am not currently on any other cancer treatments or experimental drugs.
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I do not have brain metastases.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 3 cycles (each cycle is 21 days)
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 3 cycles (each cycle is 21 days) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Percentage of patients completely adhering to 3 cycles of short term fasting (STF) (9 days of fasting)
Percentage of patients who develop unacceptable fasting-related toxicity
Secondary study objectives
Incidence of acceptable fasting related toxicity
Percentage of patients who can partially adhere to 3 cycles of STF (9 days of fasting)

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Treatment (STF, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor)Experimental Treatment8 Interventions
Patients undergo STF for 47-48 hours prior to immunotherapy and for 24 hours after immunotherapy with standard of care pembrolizumab given IV over 30 minutes, nivolumab IV over 30 minutes, cemiplimab IV over 30 minutes, avelumab IV over 60 minutes, atezolizumab IV over 60 minutes, or durvalumab IV over 60 minutes on day 3. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 3 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Atezolizumab
FDA approved
Durvalumab
FDA approved
Nivolumab
FDA approved
Avelumab
FDA approved
Pembrolizumab
FDA approved
Cemiplimab
FDA approved

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of Southern CaliforniaLead Sponsor
936 Previous Clinical Trials
1,613,465 Total Patients Enrolled
National Cancer Institute (NCI)NIH
13,842 Previous Clinical Trials
41,002,984 Total Patients Enrolled
Gino K In, MDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Southern California
1 Previous Clinical Trials
34 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Atezolizumab (PD-L1/PD-1 Inhibitor) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04387084 — Phase 1
Skin Cancer Research Study Groups: Treatment (STF, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor)
Skin Cancer Clinical Trial 2023: Atezolizumab Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04387084 — Phase 1
Atezolizumab (PD-L1/PD-1 Inhibitor) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04387084 — Phase 1
~3 spots leftby Sep 2025