Actively Recruiting
Neoadjuvant Inhaled Azacytidine With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Durvalumab (MEDI4736) - a Combined Epigenetic-Immunotherapy (AZA-AEGEAN) Regimen for Operable Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Led by National Cancer Institute (NCI) · Updated on 2026-05-14
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
449 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Surgery to remove the tumors is the standard treatment for people diagnosed with early stages of NSCLC. Despite complete removal of these tumors, many recur (happen again). An FDA-approved drug combination to treat early-stage NSCLC prior to the surgery is durvalumab plus standard chemotherapy. The FDA approved infusion drug azacytidine \[AZA\] is used to treat several diseases because it can rapidly kill dividing cells (including cancer cells) but it is not approved for NSCLC. An inhaled (aerosolized) form of AZA is also not approved for NSCLC. However, researchers want to know if an inhaled version of AZA can help improve treatment of people with NSCLC because inhaled AZA goes directly into the lungs with limited absorption into the bloodstream. Objective: To find the safest and most effective dose of inhaled AZA in participants with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can still be removed by surgery. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 and older with operable early-stage NSCLC. Participants will be required to also enroll in NIH protocol 06C0014 which allows for pre- and post-treatment biopsies and bloodwork to be obtained for additional research studies. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. Their medical records will be reviewed. They will have imaging scans and tests of their heart and lung functions. Participants will be required to have a tissue sample (biopsy) taken of their tumor prior to receiving study drug and again during surgery after Cycle 3; airway tissue biopsies and collection of collect bronchial (lung) fluid may also be done. Participants will receive the study treatment for 3 cycles. Each cycle is 21 days. They will need to come to the NIH Clinical Center (CC) on days 1-4 of Cycles 1-3. AZA will be given as a drug mist that can be inhaled (like the type of mist in an asthma inhaler) using a nebulizer at the NIH Clinical Center (CC) for 3 days in a row (consecutive days) during the first week of each cycle. The participant will inhale the AZA drug mist for 20 to 30 minutes each time. Participants will also receive durvalumab and a specific 2-drug assigned chemotherapy by intravenous (IV) infusion on day 4 of each cycle. Participants will have a follow-up visit 2 weeks after their last dose of study drugs. Then they will have planned surgery to remove the tumors. Participants will have additional follow-up visits at the NIH CC about 1 and 3 months after the surgery, and then for every 3 months for up to 3 years.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Neoadjuvant Inhaled Azacytidine With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Durvalumab (MEDI4736) - a Combined Epigenetic-Immunotherapy (AZA-AEGEAN) Regimen for Operable Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Histologically or cytologically confirmed, resectable stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Willingness to undergo tumor resection surgery after induction therapy
- Disease accessible for biopsy and willingness to have tumor biopsy before treatment
- No prior therapy for NSCLC
- Measurable disease per RECIST 1.1
- Age 18 years or older
- Body weight greater than 30 kg
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1
- Adequate lung function with predicted post-op FEV1 and DLCO at least 40%
- Arterial blood gas showing pCO2 ≤ 45 and pO2 ≥ 60 on room air if oxygen saturation ≤ 92%
- Adequate organ and marrow function as defined by specified blood counts and liver/kidney function
- Use of effective contraception during study and for a specified time after last drug dose
- Willingness to discontinue breastfeeding from study start through 3 months after last dose
- Participants with HIV/AIDS must be on therapy with viral load less than 400 copies/mL
- Agreement to not donate blood during study and for 3 months after last dose
- Co-enrollment in NIH protocol 06C0014
- Ability to understand and willingness to sign informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Medically inoperable due to other health conditions
- Tumors invading diaphragm, mediastinum, carina, trachea, esophagus, heart, great vessels, recurrent laryngeal nerve, or vertebral body
- Prior serious immune-related side effects from checkpoint inhibitor therapy
- Known EGFR or ALK genetic alterations in tumor
- Active autoimmune diseases except specified exceptions
- History of pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease
- Significant cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease within 6 months
- Active hepatitis A, B, or C infection
- Other active infections requiring treatment
- Positive pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential
- Use of systemic corticosteroids above physiologic doses or inhaled corticosteroids within 14 days before study
- Major surgery within 28 days before treatment start (except palliative local surgery)
- History of allogenic organ transplantation
- Another primary cancer within last 5 years, except cured cases
- Live attenuated vaccines within 30 days before treatment
- Participation in another investigational drug trial within 14 days
- Known allergy to Mannitol
- Use of herbal or natural immune-modulating remedies within 7 days before treatment
- Uncontrolled illnesses or conditions limiting study compliance
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Rebecca B Alexander
CONTACT
D
David S Schrump, M.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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