Rationale and Design of the Phase III KEYLYNK-012 Study of Pembrolizumab and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Pembrolizumab With or Without Olaparib for Stage III Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is a standard therapy for patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Durvalumab is an approved treatment option following concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the absence of disease progression. The multicenter, phase III, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, double-blind KEYLYNK-012 study evaluates whether initiation of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab concurrently with chemoradiotherapy, followed by post-chemoradiotherapy pembrolizumab with or without olaparib improves outcomes for participants with stage III NSCLC. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04380636) METHODS: Eligible participants are aged ≥18 years with previously untreated, pathologically confirmed, stages IIIA-C, squamous or nonsquamous NSCLC not suitable for surgery with curative intent. Participants will be randomized 1:1:1 to platinum-doublet chemotherapy plus radiotherapy with pembrolizumab (Groups A and B) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone (Group C) for 3 cycles. In the absence of disease progression, participants will receive pembrolizumab plus olaparib placebo (Group A), pembrolizumab plus olaparib (Group B), or durvalumab monotherapy (Group C). Dual primary endpoints are progression-free survival per RECIST version 1.1 by independent central review and overall survival.

Results: Enrollment began on July 6, 2020, and is ongoing at approximately 190 sites.

Conclusion: KEYLYNK-012 will provide important information on the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and subsequent pembrolizumab with or without olaparib in participants with unresectable stage III NSCLC.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Immunotherapy; Non-small-cell lung cancer; PARP inhibition; Radiation therapy.