Clinical trial Recruiting at 12 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 1 Year to 21

Combining tipifarnib and naxitimab for treating relapsed neuroblastoma

Official title: Phase II Trial of Tipifarnib and Naxitamab for Relapsed/Refractory Neuroblastoma

Run by Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · NCT06540963 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new combination of an oral drug called tipifarnib and an intravenous drug called naxitimab to see if it can help children with relapsed neuroblastoma.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages1 Year to 21 Years
SexAll
Enrollment98 (estimated)
SponsorMilton S. Hershey Medical Center
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsnaxitamab, dinutuximab, CAR-T, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, naxitimab
Locations12 sites (Little Rock, Arkansas and 11 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 6, 2024
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2030
Study endsDecember 1, 2035
Registry record updatedSeptember 3, 2026
Trial IDNCT06540963 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are children aged 6 years and older with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma who have previously undergone standard therapy.

Probably not a fit

Patients with neuroblastoma who are not relapsed or refractory, or those who do not meet the age and disease criteria, may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the investigational drug tipifarnib, taken orally, in combination with the FDA-approved drug naxitimab, administered intravenously, for patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma. The primary goals are to assess the safety and tolerability of this combination and to determine its effectiveness based on patient responses and disease progression. Participants must have a confirmed diagnosis of neuroblastoma and meet specific age and disease status criteria. The study aims to provide new treatment options for this challenging pediatric cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a new therapeutic option for children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma.

How similar studies have gone: While the combination of these specific drugs is being tested in this trial, similar approaches in treating neuroblastoma have shown promise in other studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age:

   Participants must be age ≤ 21 years at initial diagnosis. Participants must be \>12 months of age at enrollment. Safety Run-In (first 6 participants) must be age 6 years or older. As of 09Jun2026 the safety run-in is complete.
2. Pathology: All participants must have a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of neuroblastoma at any point in their treatment.
3. Tumor assessment: Disease staging must be performed. This disease assessment is required for eligibility and must be done within a maximum of 4 weeks before first dose of study drug.
4. Disease Status: Relapsed/Refractory Neuroblastoma Relapsed disease defined as neuroblastoma that was previously in remission after standard therapy (at least 4 cycles of aggressive multi-drug induction chemotherapy, with or without radiation and surgery, followed by immunotherapy, or according to a standard high-risk treatment/neuroblastoma protocol) and has now relapsed and is in any number of relapses.

   Refractory disease defined as High-risk neuroblastoma as defined by the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System (INRG) that failed to achieve complete response (CR) after at least 4 cycles of aggressive multi-drug induction chemotherapy, progression during upfront therapy, or with disease remaining after standard immunotherapy.

   INRG High Risk NB defined as one of the following:
   1. Any age with International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) Stage L2, MS, or M with MYCN amplification
   2. Age ≥ 547 days and INRG Stage M regardless of biologic features
   3. Any age initially diagnosed with INRG Stage L1 MYCN amplified neuroblastoma (NBL) who have progressed to Stage M without systemic chemotherapy
   4. Age ≥ 547 days of age initially diagnosed with INRG Stage L1, L2, or MS who have progressed to Stage M without systemic chemotherapy
5. Measurable Disease: Participants must be relapsed or refractory with active disease. Participants must have measurable or evaluable disease, including at least one of the following: Measurable tumor \>10mm by computed tomography scan (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); a positive metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan or positron emission tomography (PET) scan or Positive bone marrow biopsy/aspirate.

   Cohort 1- High-risk neuroblastoma patients with disease limited to bone and/or bone marrow at enrollment. Participant must have stable disease, minor response, or partial response to their most recent therapy.

   Cohort 2- All other high-risk relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma patients not eligible for Cohort 1, including participants with soft tissue disease.
6. Participants with central nervous system (CNS) disease currently taking steroids must have been on a stable dose of steroids for at least one week prior to their biopsy and must not have progressive hydrocephalus at enrollment.
7. Timing from prior therapy:

   Participants must have fully recovered from the acute toxic effects of all prior anti- cancer chemotherapy and be within the following timelines:
   1. Myelosuppressive chemotherapy: Must not have received within 2 weeks of enrollment onto this study (6 weeks if prior nitrosourea).
   2. Hematopoietic growth factors: At least 5 days since the completion of therapy with a growth factor.
   3. Small Molecule Inhibitors (anti-neoplastic agent): At least 7 days since the completion of therapy with a small molecule inhibitor. For agents that have known adverse events occurring beyond 7 days after administration, this period must be extended beyond the time during which adverse events are known to occur. The duration of this interval must be discussed with the Study Chair.
   4. Immunotherapy: At least 4 weeks since the completion of any type of immunotherapy, e.g. tumor vaccines, CAR-T cells, anti-GD2 Monoclonal antibodies (ex. naxitamab, dinutuximab, etc.).
   5. XRT (Radiotherapy): At least 30 days since the last treatment except for radiation delivered with palliative intent to a non-target site.
   6. Stem Cell Transplant:

      * Allogeneic: No evidence of active graft vs. host disease
      * Allo/Auto: ≥ 2 months must have elapsed since transplant.
   7. MIBG Therapy: At least 6 weeks since treatment with MIBG therapy.
8. Participants must have a Lansky or Karnofsky Performance Scale score of ≥ 50
9. Participants must have adequate organ function at the time of enrollment:

   1. Hematological: Hematological recovery as defined by absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥750/μL, platelets ≥30/μL (may be transfused).
   2. Liver: Normal liver function as defined by Aspartate transferase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TBL) all within upper limit of normal
   3. Renal:

      * For participants \< 17 years old: estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (eGFR) as calculated from the Bedside Schwartz equation (in units of mL/min/1.73 m2) or via radioisotope GFR of ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. The Bedside Schwartz equation is: \[(0.413) X (Height in cm)\] / SCr
      * For participants ≥17 years old: estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (eGFR) as calculated from the Cockcroft and Gault formula (in units of mL/min/1.73 m2) or via radioisotope GFR of ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. The Cockcroft and Gault formula is: \[(140-age) x (Wt in kg) x (0.85 if female)\] / (72 x SCr)
   4. Cardiac: Participants must have a QTcF ≤ 470 msc.
10. Participants of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test. Participants of childbearing potential must agree to use an effective birth control method.
11. Participants who are lactating must agree to stop breast-feeding. (NOTE: breast milk cannot be stored for future use while the mother is being treated on study.)
12. Written informed consent in accordance with institutional and FDA guidelines must be obtained from all participants (or participants' legal representative).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants who are less than 1 year of age
2. BSA of \<0.25 m2
3. Investigational Drugs: Participants who are currently receiving another investigational drug are excluded from participation.
4. Anti-cancer Agents: Participants who are currently receiving other anticancer agents are not eligible. Participants must have fully recovered from the hematological and bone marrow suppression effects of prior chemotherapy.
5. Infection: Participants who have an uncontrolled infection are not eligible until the infection is judged to be well controlled in the opinion of the investigator.
6. Participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study, or in whom compliance is likely to be suboptimal, should be excluded.
7. Previous Gr.4 allergic or anaphylactic reaction to naxitamab, leading to the discontinuation of naxitamab during prior therapy.

Where it's running

  • Arkansas Children's Hospital
    Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Connecticut Children's Hospital
    Hartford, Connecticut, United States
    Recruiting
  • Nicklaus Children's Hospital
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children
    Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
Show 6 more locations
  • Duke University
    Durham, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Randall Children's Hospital
    Portland, Oregon, United States
    Recruiting
  • Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Children's Hospital
    Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • Dell Children's Blood and Cancer Center
    Austin, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Children's Medical Center
    Dallas, Texas, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.