Where can I get access to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor drug clinical trials? What clinical trials are recruiting in China?

The main PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors approved by the FDA for use in NSCLC are Pembrolizumab (by Merck Sharp & Dohme), Nivolumab (by Bristol-Myers Squibb), Atezolizumab (by Roche), Durvalumab (by AstraZeneca), all of which currently have studies recruiting Chinese patients are underway.  

In addition, studies are underway with domestic PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (none of which have been approved for marketing) produced by Cinda Biologics, Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, Baxi Shenzhou, Junshi Biologics, and Zhengda Tianqing.

The following table summarizes the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor clinical trials currently underway in patients with NSCLC and small cell lung cancer, based on information from the China Drug Clinical Trials Registry and Information Disclosure Platform. It is important to note that this information is dynamically updated, so please refer to the information obtained by consulting your doctor.

To participate in a clinical trial for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy, you will need to talk to your primary care physician, who will determine if you are eligible for enrollment and help you apply.

                      Table 1: Clinical trials related to PD-1 inhibitors
Drugs Registration number Indication and study status

Nivolumab

(BMS)

CTR20170731

Treated advanced or recurrent solid tumors; stage III; not yet recruited

CTR20170694 Extensive stage small cell lung cancer; stage III; recruiting

CTR20170541

Advanced or metastatic NSCLC; stage III; recruiting

CTR20170340

NSCLC; stage III; recruiting
CTR20160578 Limited or extensive stage small cell lung cancer; stage III; enrollment complete
CTR20150767 Advanced or metastatic NSCLC; stage III; enrollment complete
CTR20171020

NSCLC; recruiting in progress

CTR20150755 Advanced or recurrent solid tumors; not yet recruited

Pembrolizumab

(Merck Sharp & Dohme)

CTR20170044 Metastatic squamous NSCLC; stage III; recruiting
CTR20160205

NSCLC with disease progression after platinum-containing therapy and positive PD-L1 expression; recruitment in progress

CTR20160097

Advanced or metastatic NSCLC with positive PD-L1 expression and primary treatment; recruitment complete

SHR-1210

(Hengrui)

CTR20170322

Advanced NSCLC; stage III; recruiting

CTR20170299

Advanced NSCLC; stage II; recruiting

CTR20170090 Combination of Apatinib for Advanced NSCLC; Phase II; Recruiting
CTR20160248

Solid Tumors; Stage I; Recruiting

CTR20160175 Advanced Solid Tumors; Stage I; Recruiting

IBI308

(Cinda)

CTR20160735 Solid Tumors; Stage I; Recruiting

CTR20170380

Advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC; recruitment in progress

BGB-A317

(Baekje Shenzhou)

CTR20171112

NSCLC; recruiting in progress

CTR20170361

Lung cancer; recruitment in progress

CTR20160871

Solid tumors; stage I-II; recruiting

JS001

(Junsit)

CTR20180275 Advanced NSCLC; recruiting
CTR20160274 Advanced or recurrent malignancy; stage I; recruiting

                        Table 2: Clinical trials related to PD-L1 inhibitors
Drugs Registration number indications and study status

Atezolizumab

(Roche)

CTR20171629 Primarily treated advanced or recurrent or metastatic NSCLC; not yet recruited
CTR20170064 Stage IV non-squamous NSCLC not previously treated with chemotherapy; stage III; recruiting
CTR20160988 Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer; Stage III; Recruiting

Durvalumab

(AstraZeneca)

CTR20170012 Advanced NSCLC; stage III; recruiting

TQB2450

(CZT)

CTR20180272 Advanced malignancy; stage I; not yet recruited

KN035

(Thoughtfulness/Corning Jerry)

CTR20170036 Advanced Solid Tumors; Stage I; Recruiting

(Note: BMS, Bristol-Myers Squibb; TKI, tyrosine kinase inhibitor)

Hospitals and trial leaders primarily undertaking these trials include: Yilong Wu, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital; Tension, Center for Cancer Control, Sun Yat-sen University; Ying Cheng, Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital; Yuankai Shi, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Cai-cun Zhou, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital; and Shun Lu, Shanghai Chest Hospital.

Note: Drug Clinical Trial Registration and Information Disclosure Platform; http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/eap/main

Co-reviewed by: Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute Dr. Wang Zhen, Deputy Chief Physician Liu Siyang