Multicenter phase 2 trial of atezolizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel for advanced or recurrent thymic carcinoma

Carboplatin plus paclitaxel is a standard treatment for patients with chemotherapy-naïve advanced or recurrent (A/R) thymic carcinoma. The prognosis of these patients is poor. The phase 2 MARBLE trial, at 15 centers in Japan, evaluated the combination of atezolizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel for A/R thymic carcinoma in patients with no history of systemic drug therapy. Patients received 6 three-week cycles of the combination, followed by atezolizumab every three weeks for up to 2 years. The objective response rate by independent central review was 56% (95% CI 41-71); all partial responses. Among 48 patients, there were eight deaths overall, but no treatment-related deaths. The authors conclude that the combination of atezolizumab with carboplatin and paclitaxel had clinically meaningful antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile among patients with previously untreated A/R thymic carcinoma.