Early Switch Maintenance vs Delayed Second-line Nivolumab in Advanced Stage Squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients (EDEN Trial)

pathologically (histology or cytology) confirmed diagnosis of squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB-IV or recurrent squamous NSCLC with partial response (PR), complete response (CR) or stable disease (SD) according RECIST 1.1 after 4-6 courses of standard platinum-based chemotherapy (i.e. cisplatin or carboplatin combined with either paclitaxel, docetaxel, nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine or vinorelbine)

life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PF) of 0-2

last chemotherapy course completed within 8 weeks before randomization and radiological assessment for tumor evaluation after first-line chemotherapy within 4 weeks before randomization

in case of presence of treated brain metastases, lesions should be stable for at least 4 weeks, steroids should be off or on stable dose (≤ 10 mg of prednisone or equivalent), radiotherapy should have been completed at least 14 days before randomization and any Adverse Event (AE) related to radiotherapy recovered to grade \< 1 (except alopecia)

in case of females: postmenopausal status (at least 12 months after last menstrual period should have been passed) before the screening visit or surgical sterilization. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must use 2 effective methods of contraception (from the time of informed consent signature trough 30 days after last trial drug dose) or agree to practice true abstinence, when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. Pregnancy should be avoided for 23 weeks after the last trial drug dose. WOCBP must have negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to the start of trial drug treatment.

in case of males: even if surgically sterilized, effective barrier contraception (method with failure rate \< 1%/year) during the entire study treatment period and for a period of 31 weeks after the last dose of trial drug, or practice true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject.

laboratory parameters measured within 14 days prior randomization as follows: absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1000/mmc platelet count ≥ 75000/mmc haemoglobin ≥ 9g/dL total bilirubin ≤ 1.5x the Upper Normal Limit (local laboratory range) except in case of Gilbert Syndrome where total bilirubin value \< 3.0 mg/dL is allowed serum alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase ≤ 3x the Upper Normal Limit (local laboratory range) creatinine ≤ 1.5x the Upper Normal Limit or estimated creatinine clearance using Cockcroft-Gault formula ≥ 30 mL/minute for patients with creatinine levels above institutional limits

stable medical conditions, including the absence of acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses, serious infections or major surgery within 4 weeks before randomization and otherwise noted in other eligibility criteria

ability to comply with protocol requirements

ability to provide written informed consent

What this study is about