The purpose of this study is to determine whether the cancer vaccine tecemotide (L-BLP25) in addition to best supportive care is effective in prolonging the lives of subjects with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer, compared to best supportive care alone. A local ancillary (sub) study in European centers will evaluate the immune response in peripheral blood after tecemotide (L-BLP25) or placebo vaccination.
Ancillary Trial: An exploratory investigation of immune response in peripheral blood after tecemotide (L-BLP25) or placebo vaccination. The ancillary study is a sub-study within START. This is an exploratory investigation of the immune response in peripheral blood after tecemotide (L-BLP25) or placebo vaccination. The main objective is to evaluate whether administration of single-shot, low-dose cyclophosphamide followed by tecemotide (L-BLP25) vaccinations induces specific immune response in peripheral blood to BLP25 (the mucinous glycoprotein 1 \[MUC1\] antigen) as well as a modulation of cellular and soluble components of the immune response in subjects with unresectable stage III NSCLC. Twenty-five of the European START sites will participate in the ancillary study. Sample size: up to 60 to 80 subjects All inclusion criteria specified in the START clinical trial protocol except for hemoglobin \>= 100 gram/Liter (g/L) All exclusion criteria are the same as specified in the START clinical trial protocol Schedule of events: Blood samples will be taken at baseline, visit week 4, 8 13 and 25 (80 milliliter (mL) whole blood each)
After receiving cyclophosphamide, participants will receive 8 consecutive weekly subcutaneous vaccinations with 806 microgram (mcg) of tecemotide (L-BLP25) at Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 followed by maintenance vaccinations with 806 mcg of tecemotide (L-BLP25) at 6-week intervals, commencing at Week 13, until disease progression is documented.
A single intravenous infusion of 300 milligram per square meter (mg/m\^2) (to a maximum 600 mg) of cyclophosphamide will be given 3 days before first tecemotide (L-BLP25) vaccination.
A single infusion (IV) of 0.9% Saline solution instead of cyclophosphamide but in the same calculated dose will be given three days before first placebo vaccination. Subjects will then receive eight consecutive weekly subcutaneous vaccinations with placebo at weeks 0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6 and 7 followed by maintenance placebo vaccinations at 6-week intervals, commencing at week 13, until disease progression is documented.
Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Capital, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Córdoba, Argentina
Tandil, Argentina