A Study of TAK-981 Given With Pembrolizumab in Participants With Select Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
About this clinical trial
TAK-981 is being tested in combination with pembrolizumab to treat participants who have select advanced or metastatic solid tumors. The study aims are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of TAK-981 in combination with pembrolizumab. Participants will be on this combination treatment for 21-day cycles. They will continue with this treatment for up to 24 months or until participants meet any discontinuation criteria.
At a glance
What medical conditions were being studied?
What was the clinical trial testing?
Pembrolizumab, TAK-981
How many participants were enrolled?
49
When was the clinical trial conducted?
Aug 2020 - Nov 2025
Key requirements
Sexes
All
Age
18+ years
Healthy volunteers?
No
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Has a histologically or cytologically documented, advanced (metastatic and/or
unresectable) cancer as listed below that is incurable: Note: Prior neoadjuvant or
adjuvant therapy included in initial treatment may not be considered first- or
later-line standard of care treatment unless such treatments were completed less
than 12 months prior to the current tumor recurrence.
A. Non-squamous NSCLC for which prior standard first-line treatment containing an
anti-programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death protein 1 ligand
(PD-1/PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) alone or in combination has failed and that
has progressed on no more than 1 prior systemic therapy. In Phase 2, participants
with nonsquamous NSCLC must have not received more than 1 prior systemic therapy and
must not have presented with disease progression during the first 6 months of
treatment with first-line CPI/anti-PD-(1/L1)-containing therapy.
Note: In Phase 1, participants with nonsquamous NSCLC and known driver
mutations/genomic aberrations (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-Raf
proto-oncogene mutation V600E [BRAF V600E], and ROS proto-oncogene 1 [ROS1]
sensitizing mutations, neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase [NRTK] gene fusions,
and anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK] rearrangements) must have also shown
progressive disease after treatment with a commercially available targeted therapy.
In Phase 2, participants with driver mutations are not eligible.
B. CPI-naive cervical cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma or
adenocarcinoma of the cervix) participants for whom prior standard first-line
treatment has failed and who have received no more than 1 prior systemic line of
therapy for recurrent or Stage IVB cervical cancer. Note: The following cervical
tumors are not eligible: minimal deviation/adenoma malignum, gastric-type
adenocarcinoma, clear-cell carcinoma, and mesonephric carcinoma. Histologic
confirmation of the original primary tumor is required via pathology report. Note:
First-line treatment must have consisted of platinum-containing doublet.
Chemotherapy administered concurrently with primary radiation (e.g., weekly
cisplatin) is not counted as a systemic chemotherapy regimen.
C. CPI-naïve microsatellite stable-colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC) participants for whom
prior standard first-line treatment has failed and who have progressed on no more
than 3 chemotherapy regimens.
Note: Participants must have received prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-,
oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-containing regimens if indicated.
D. Unresectable Stage III or Stage IV cutaneous melanoma that has not received prior
therapy in the metastatic setting.
Note: Participants with acral melanoma are not eligible. Participants who have
presented with disease relapse after ≥6 months of the last dose of CPI or
BRAF-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor in the adjuvant setting
are eligible.
E. Squamous NSCLC for which prior standard first-line treatment containing an
anti-PD-(1/L1) checkpoint inhibitor alone or in combination has failed. Participant
must have not received more than 1 prior systemic therapy and must not have
presented with disease progression during the first 6 months of treatment with
first-line CPI/anti-PD-(1/L1)-containing therapy.
F. Squamous or nonsquamous NSCLC for which prior standard first-line treatment
containing an anti-PD-(1/L1) checkpoint inhibitor alone or in combination has failed
within 6 months from the initiation of the CPI. Participants must not have received
more than 1 prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting.
Note: Participants with driver mutations are not eligible.
2. Has at least 1 radiologically measurable lesion based on RECIST, Version 1.1. Tumor
lesions situated in a previously irradiated area are considered measurable if
progression has been demonstrated in such lesions.
3. Has a performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Group Oncology (ECOG)
Performance Scale.
4. Has left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40%; as measured by echocardiogram
(ECHO) or multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan.
5. Has recovered to Grade 1 or baseline from all toxicity associated with previous
therapy or have the toxicity established as sequela. Note: Has a neuropathy ≤Grade
2, any grade alopecia, or autoimmune endocrinopathies with stable replacement
therapy are permitted.
6. Demonstrate adequate organ function as described below:
A. Platelet count ≥75.0 × 10^9/L. B. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.0 × 10^9/L. C.
Hemoglobin ≥85 g/L (red blood cell [RBC] transfusion allowed ≥14 days before assessment).
D. Calculated creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula.
E. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT) ≤3.0
times the upper limit of normal (ULN), <5.0 times the ULN if liver enzyme elevations are
due to liver metastases; bilirubin ≤1.5 times the ULN. Participants with Gilbert's
syndrome may have a bilirubin level >1.5 times the ULN, per discussion between the
investigator and the medical monitor.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. History of uncontrolled brain metastasis (evidence of progression by imaging over a
period of 4 weeks and/or neurologic symptoms that have not returned to baseline).
Participant with treated brain metastases are allowed provided they are
radiologically stable, without evidence of progression for at least 4 weeks by
repeat imaging, clinically stable, and without requirement of steroid treatment for
at least 14 days prior to first dose of study treatment. Note: For asymptomatic
participants, screening brain imaging is not required.
2. Second malignancy within the previous 3 years, except treated basal cell or
localized squamous skin carcinomas, localized prostate cancer, cervical carcinoma in
situ, resected colorectal adenomatous polyps, breast cancer in situ, or other
malignancy for which the participant is not on active anticancer therapy.
3. Major surgery ≤14 days from the first dose of study drug and not recovered fully
from any complications from surgery.
4. History of immune-related AEs related to treatment with immune CPIs that required
treatment discontinuation.
5. Receiving or requires the continued use of medications that are known to be strong
or moderate inhibitors and inducers of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4/5 and strong
P-glycoprotein (Pgp) inhibitors.
6. Baseline prolongation of the QT interval corrected using Fridericia's formula (QTcF)
(e.g., repeated demonstration of QTcF interval >480 milliseconds (ms), history of
congenital long QT syndrome, or torsades de pointes).
7. Has a history of autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppressive therapy
with daily doses of prednisone >10 mg/day or equivalent doses, or any other form of
immunosuppressive therapy. Hormone replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or
physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for thyroid, adrenal or pituitary
insufficiency) for endocrinopathies are not considered prohibited forms of systemic
treatment of an autoimmune disease.
8. Has a history of noninfectious pneumonitis that required steroids or a history of
interstitial lung disease.
9. Has an evidence of active, non-infectious pneumonitis.
10. Has a history of allogeneic tissue or solid organ transplant.
11. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
12. Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or any other
relevant congenital or acquired immunodeficiency.
13. Has a known hepatitis B virus surface antigen seropositive or detectable hepatitis C
infection viral load. Note: Participants who have positive hepatitis B core antibody
or hepatitis B surface antigen antibody can be enrolled but must have an
undetectable hepatitis B viral load.
14. History of any of the following ≤6 months before first dose: congestive heart
failure New York Heart Association Grade III or IV, unstable angina, myocardial
infarction, unstable symptomatic ischemic heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension
despite appropriate medical therapy, ongoing symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias >Grade
2, pulmonary embolism or symptomatic cerebrovascular events, or any other serious
cardiac condition (e.g., pericardial effusion or restrictive cardiomyopathy).
Chronic atrial fibrillation on stable anticoagulant therapy is allowed.
15. Psychiatric illness/social circumstances that would limit compliance with study
requirements and substantially increase the risk of AEs or has compromised ability
to provide written informed consent.