Combination treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer

NAPOLI-2: Phase II Study of Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Nanoliposomal Irinotecan in Previously Treated Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer

Phase 2 Interventional Georgetown University · NCT04005339

This study is testing a new combination of cancer drugs to see if it can help people with advanced biliary tract cancer who haven't responded to previous treatments.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorGeorgetown University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations4 sites (Washington, District of Columbia and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04005339 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a combination of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and nanoliposomal irinotecan as a second-line treatment for patients with advanced biliary tract cancers who have previously undergone gemcitabine and platinum chemotherapy. It is a single-arm, open-label, multicenter phase II trial that includes patients with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer. Participants will be monitored for treatment response using imaging every 8 weeks, and they can continue treatment as long as they tolerate it and do not show disease progression.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with pathologically-confirmed advanced biliary tract cancer who have experienced disease progression on gemcitabine and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma or those who have received prior irinotecan or nanoliposomal irinotecan will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer who have limited treatment choices.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with similar treatment approaches, but this specific combination is being evaluated in a novel context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Pathologically-confirmed biliary tract cancer (cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder adenocarcinoma), unresectable or metastatic
* Disease progression on or intolerance of gemcitabine- and platinum-based chemotherapy
* No more than 1 prior line of chemotherapy for unresectable or metastatic disease (adjuvant therapy does not count)
* Measurable disease by RECIST v1.1 criteria
* ECOG performance status of 0-1
* At least 18 years of age
* HIV-positive patients are eligible provided: Stable HAART regimen, No concurrent prophylactic antibiotics or antifungals, and CD4 count above 250 and undetectable viral load
* Adequate bone marrow, hepatic, and renal function
* Consent to access archived tumor tissue if available (available tissue is not required for enrollment)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Ampullary adenocarcinoma
* Woman who are pregnant or breastfeeding
* Anti-cancer treatment within 3 weeks prior to enrollment
* Prior irinotecan or nanoliposomal irinotecan
* Central nervous system metastases unless stable for at least 4 weeks and at least 2 weeks off corticosteroids
* Exposure to a strong CYP3A4 inducer, strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, or strong UGT1A1 inhibitor within 2 weeks of study start
* Known concurrent malignancy or other malignancy within 3 years except for non-melanomatous skin cancers, prostate or cervical cancers following curative therapy, or superficial bladder cancer
* Bowel obstruction
* Allergy or hypersensitivity to fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan, or nanoliposomal irinotecan
* Clinically significant liver disease: Patients with resolved hepatitis B infection are eligible if HBsAg testing is negative; Patients with resolved hepatitis C infection are eligible if viral RNA PCR is negative
* Severe infections within 4 weeks prior to enrollment
* Major surgery within 4 weeks prior to enrollment

Where this trial is running

Washington, District of Columbia and 3 other locations

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Advanced Biliary Tract CancerBiliary Tract CancerGI CancerBiliary CancerNAPOLI-2
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.