Combining neratinib and valproate for advanced solid tumors

Phase 1/2 Study of Neratinib and Divalproex Sodium (Valproate) in Advanced Solid Tumors, With an Expansion Cohort in Ras-Mutated Cancers

This study is testing a combination of two drugs, neratinib and valproate, to see if they can help people with advanced solid tumors, especially those with specific genetic changes.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase1; Phase2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 83 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: neratinib
• Locations: 1 site (Richmond, Virginia)
• Trial ID: NCT03919292 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to determine the recommended phase 2 dose of the drug combination neratinib and sodium valproate in patients with advanced solid tumors. Initially, the study will assess different doses of neratinib alongside valproate to establish optimal dosing for future research. Following this, the trial will focus on evaluating the antitumor effects of this combination specifically in RAS-mutated tumors, EGFR-altered glioblastoma, and ocular melanoma. The study will involve both a dose escalation phase and a dose expansion phase to gather comprehensive safety and efficacy data.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with advanced solid tumors that have progressed after standard therapies, specifically those with RAS mutations.

Not a fit: Patients with solid tumors that do not have RAS mutations or those who have not progressed after standard therapies may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this combination therapy could provide a new treatment option for patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly those with specific genetic mutations.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of neratinib and valproate has not been extensively tested together, similar approaches targeting RAS mutations have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Phase 1 - Dose Escalation Phase: Advanced solid tumor that has progressed during or after treatment with approved therapies or for which there is no standard effective therapy available
* Phase 2 - Dose Expansion Phase: One of the following advanced solid tumors that is RAS-mutated and has progressed during or after treatment with at least one approved therapy or for which there is no standard effective therapy available: :
* Colon Cancer with a RAS mutation
* Pancreatic Cancer with a RAS mutation
* Other Solid Tumor with RAS Mutation
* Ocular melanoma, which includes melanoma that develops in the sclera, retina, uvea (iris, choroid layer, and ciliary layer), or conjunctiva or other cancers with a GNAQ or GNA11 mutation
* Measurable disease by RECIST v1.1
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1
* Adequate bone marrow function
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1500/mm3
* Platelets ≥ 100,000/mm3
* Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL (untransfused)
* Adequate renal function
* Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for the laboratory or calculated or actual creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
* Adequate hepatic function
* Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN for the laboratory Exception: If a patient has documented Gilbert's syndrome and a total bilirubin is \> 1.5 x ULN for the laboratory, the total bilirubin requirement may be waived provided the direct bilirubin is within normal limits (WNL) for the laboratory.
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3.0 x ULN for the laboratory
* Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3.0 x ULN for the laboratory
* Note: For the expansion cohorts, in patients with documented liver metastasis, the AST and ALT requirements will be ≤ 5 x ULN for the laboratory
* Non-hematologic toxicities from previous cancer therapies resolved to ≤ grade 1 except chronic residual toxicities that in the opinion of the investigator are not clinically relevant given the known safety/toxicity profiles of neratinib and sodium valproate (eg, alopecia, changes in pigmentation, stable endocrinopathies, neuropathy, skin toxicities)
* International normalized ratio (INR) is ≤ 1.5 and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≤ 1.5 x ULN for the laboratory
* A woman of childbearing potential (WCBP), defined as a woman who is \< 60 years of age and has not had a hysterectomy, must have a documented negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to initiating study treatment
* WCBP and a male patient with a partner who is a WCBP must agree to use a medically accepted method for preventing pregnancy for the duration of study treatment and for 2 months following completion of study treatment
* Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

Current or prior known meningeal metastases Known brain metastases that are symptomatic or untreated Note: Patients with known brain metastases who are asymptomatic and have had post-treatment imaging that indicates stable brain disease are eligible. Note that brain imaging in patients with known brain metastases is required within 8 weeks prior to initiation of study therapy.

* Any investigational agent within 4 weeks prior to initiating study treatment
* Previous therapy with neratinib
* Active uncontrolled diarrhea leading to dehydration or electrolyte disturbances not easily controlled with oral repletion
* Inability to swallow medication
* Known or suspected malabsorption condition or obstruction. Note: Use of pancreatic enzyme supplements is allowed to control malabsorption
* Inability to shift medications as follows: Antacids (eg, calcium carbonate): dose at least 3 hours after dosing with neratinib. H2 receptor antagonists: dose must be taken at least 2 hours after or 10 hours before dosing with neratinib
* Resting systolic blood pressure (BP) \< 100 mmHg
* Active or clinically significant cardiac disease including any of the following:
* Unstable angina (eg, anginal symptoms at rest) or onset of angina within 3 months prior to initiating study treatment
* Myocardial infarction diagnosed within 6 months prior to initiating study treatment
* Cardiac arrhythmias requiring anti-arrhythmic therapy other than beta blockers
* New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV congestive heart failure
* Seizure disorder requiring an enzyme inducing antiepileptic medication (EIAED)
* Serious (ie, ≥ grade 3) uncontrolled infection
* Chronic or active hepatitis B or C infection with elevated transaminase levels
* Pleural effusion or ascites that causes respiratory compromise (ie, ≥ grade 2 dyspnea)
* Known mitochondrial disorder caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (γ)
* Known urea cycle disorders
* Planned ongoing treatment with other drugs thought to potentially have adverse interactions with either of the medications included in the study treatment:
* Cosyntropin
* Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
* High-risk P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates (eg, digoxin, dabigatran, fexofenadine). Other anticoagulants are not considered high-risk P-gp substrates
* Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors and/or Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers. Examples of clinical inhibitors and clinical inducers for P450-mediated metabolism and classification of strong, moderate, and weak interactions are available through the FDA website, Tables 3-2 and 3-3: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentResources/DrugInteractionsLabeling/ucm093664.htm Note: If such medications have been used, patients must have discontinued these agents ≥ 2 weeks prior to initiating study treatment
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Medical, psychological, or social condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may increase the patient's risk or limit the patient's adherence with study requirements

Where this trial is running

Richmond, Virginia

• Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center — Richmond, Virginia, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Andrew Poklepovic, MD — Massey Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Massey IIT Research Operations

Conditions Solid Tumor, Adult; Colon Cancer; Pancreatic Cancer; Other solid tumor; Advanced solid tumor; Tumor progression