Ceritinib vs Standard Chemotherapy for ALK-Positive, Advanced Non-Squamous NSCLC

This was an open-label, randomized, global, Phase III study that compared the efficacy and safety of ceritinib to standard first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced (NSCLC) harboring ALK rearrangement. The confirmation of ALK rearrangement was done using the ICH test by a Novartis designated central laboratory. Prior to the study, patients had not received any previous systemic, anti-cancer therapy, including ALK inhibitors, for newly diagnosed advanced non-squamous NSCLC. The patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive ceritinib (750 mg once daily, fasted) or chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of a platinum-based doublet with pemetrexed followed by pemetrexed maintenance in patients without progressive disease after 4 cycles. Treatment was continued until the blinded independent review committee (BIRC) confirmed disease progression based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), occurrence of unacceptable toxicity, or meeting other discontinuation criteria. Patients in either arm were permitted to continue the assigned study treatment beyond BIRC-confirmed disease progression in case of continued clinical benefit, as determined by the Investigator. All patients who discontinued treatment during the treatment phase for reasons other than death, lost to follow-up, pregnancy or disease progression entered the post-treatment follow-up period until disease progression, withdrawal of consent or death. In the chemotherapy arm, patients were allowed to switch and receive ceritinib after BIRC-confirmed disease progression (extension-treatment period).