Introduction: Dual inhibition with a T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains plus programmed death (ligand)-1 (PD[L]-1) inhibitors, with or without chemotherapy, is an emerging therapeutic strategy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). The STAR-121 (NCT05502237) phase III, global, randomized, open-label study will investigate first-line domvanalimab (anti-TIGIT) and zimberelimab (anti-PD-1) plus chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in mNSCLC with no actionable gene alterations.
Participants and methods: Approximately 720 participants (≥18 years old) with untreated mNSCLC and no EGFR and ALK mutations will be randomized into 3 groups (A, B, or C) in a 4:4:1 ratio and stratified by baseline PD-L1 expression (tumor cells <50% vs. ≥50%), histology (squamous vs. nonsquamous), and geographic region (East Asia vs. non-East Asia). Group A will receive domvanalimab 1200 mg plus zimberelimab 360 mg plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy (PT), group B will receive pembrolizumab 200 mg plus PT, and group C will receive zimberelimab 360 mg plus PT, every 3 weeks. Treatment will be administered until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Dual primary endpoints are progression-free survival (by blinded independent central review [BICR]) and overall survival for group A versus B. Key secondary endpoints comprise overall response rate (by BICR), safety, and quality of life. Exploratory endpoints include efficacy and safety between groups A and C, pharmacokinetics, patient-reported outcomes, and biomarkers.
Conclusion: Enrollment in the STAR-121 study commenced on October 12, 2022, and is currently ongoing with completion planned by September 2024. The study completion is expected by December 2027.
Keywords: Clinical trial; Immunotherapy; NSCLC; PD-1; TIGIT.
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