Early selumetinib to try to prevent plexiform neurofibromas in young children with NF1
Official title: Phase 2 Trial of Selumetinib for the Prevention of Plexiform Neurofibroma Growth and Morbidity in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Run by University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT06188741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will see if giving selumetinib to young children with NF1 who are at high risk can prevent or slow the development of plexiform neurofibromas.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 1 Year to 8 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | selumetinib, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 15 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 14 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 27, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2031 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2032 |
| Registry record updated | May 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06188741 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Young children (older than 12 months up to 8 years) with a clinical diagnosis of NF1 who are judged to be at high risk for plexiform neurofibromas in critical locations and who do not have known symptomatic PN are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Children who already have known, symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas or established irreversible morbidity (for example blindness or major nerve injury) are unlikely to benefit from this preventive approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This Phase 2 interventional study gives oral selumetinib (25 mg/m2 twice daily) to children with NF1 who are at high risk for plexiform neurofibromas and follows them prospectively for clinical and imaging signs of tumor development. Participants will be enrolled at sites in the Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium and undergo regular MRI and clinical exams to monitor for new or growing plexiform neurofibromas and for drug safety. The trial includes long-term follow-up (participants up to five years, overall study duration seven years) to detect prevention of morbidity that may not be reversible after tumors enlarge. Safety monitoring will focus on known selumetinib side effects and age-appropriate developmental assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, early selumetinib could prevent or limit plexiform neurofibroma growth in critical locations and reduce irreversible complications such as vision loss or nerve damage.
How similar studies have gone: Selumetinib has previously shown tumor shrinkage and clinical benefit in children (≥2 years) with inoperable symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas leading to FDA approval, but using it as an early preventive treatment in asymptomatic high-risk children is a novel approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
PART 1:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age: \> 1 (\>12 months) and ≤8 years of age at the time of study enrollment.
2. Diagnosis: Participants with a diagnosis of NF1 based on the 2021 revised consensus criteria \[52\] and
3. No known PN (prior to enrollment on Part 1). Participants for whom there is clinical suspicion for a PN (e.g., subtle facial asymmetry or large overlying hyperpigmented area) may be included in the study after discussion with the Study Chair so long as they have not previously had an MRI of the region of concern and are otherwise asymptomatic.
4. Physical exam at your institution within 1 year prior to consent.
5. Written informed consent must be obtained from the legal guardians of all participants \<18 years of age.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Presence of a known, symptomatic PN with or without previous MRI imaging.
2. Patients who have had previous whole-body MRI (WBMRI) are excluded from the study. However, patients who have had regional MRI(s) for an indication other than a PN and did not have a PN identified on previous MRI may still be eligible for the study.
3. Inability to undergo MRI and/or contraindication for MRI examinations following the MRI protocol.
4. Prior treatment with selumetinib or another specific MEK1/2 inhibitor.
5. Evidence of an optic pathway or other low-grade glioma, high grade glioma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, or other cancer/tumor requiring treatment with chemotherapy, biologic therapy or radiation therapy.
6. Ongoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy directed at a tumor, immunotherapy, or biologic therapy.
7. Clinical judgement by the investigator that the patient should not participate in the study.
PART 2:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Enrolled on Part 1 of this study and completed baseline WBMRI within 6 weeks of planned enrollment on Part 2.
2. A measurable (≥3 mL) PN in a high-risk location as defined below (this must be confirmed by Study Chair or a member of the Study Committee prior to enrollment on Part 2).
* In the head or neck (with the exception of isolated scalp lesions) OR
* Within the brachial or lumbosacral plexus OR
* Adjacent to high-risk structure(s), defined as:
1. Major ("named") blood vessel OR
2. Major ("named") airway OR
3. Hollow viscus OR
4. Spinal cord and foramina OR
5. Vital Organs (including heart, lungs, liver, spleen, etc.)
3. Body Surface Area (BSA): BSA ≥ 0.55 m2 \[pending availability of granule formulation\].
4. Performance status: Lansky performance ≥70%. Participants who are wheelchair bound because of paralysis or immobility secondary to a non-PN related manifestation of NF1 (such as tibial pseudarthrosis or severe scoliosis) should be considered ambulatory when they are in their wheelchair.
5. Able to swallow whole capsules \[Pending availability of granule formulation\].
6. Hematologic Function: Absolute neutrophil count ≥1200/µL, hemoglobin ≥9g/dL, and platelets ≥100,000/µL (without transfusions).
7. Hepatic Function: Bilirubin within 1.5 x the upper limit of normal for age, with the exception of those with Gilbert syndrome, and AST/ALT within ≤ 3 x upper limit of normal.
8. Renal Function: Creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR ≥60ml/min/1.73 m2 or a normal serum creatinine based on age, described in the table below.
Age (years) Maximum Serum Creatinine (mg/dL)
≤5 0.8 \>5 to ≤10 1.0 \>10 to ≤15 1.2 \>15 1.5
9. Cardiac Function:
1. Normal ejection fraction (ECHO or cardiac MRI) ≥ 53% (or the institutional normal; if a range is given then the upper value of the range will be used).
2. EKG with QTC or QTcF ≤450 msec.
10. Adequate Blood Pressure defined as:
A blood pressure (BP) ≤ the 95th percentile for age, height, and gender. Adequate blood pressure can be achieved using medication for treatment of hypertension. Participants must be on stable antihypertensive regimen for at least 30 days prior to study entry.
11. Willingness to avoid excessive sun exposure and use adequate sunscreen protection if sun exposure is anticipated.
12. Willingness to avoid the ingestion of grapefruit and Seville oranges (as well as other products containing these fruits, e.g., grapefruit juice or marmalade) during the study, as these may affect selumetinib metabolism.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Evidence of an optic pathway or other low-grade glioma, high-grade glioma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, or other cancer/tumor requiring treatment with chemotherapy, biologic therapy or radiation therapy.
2. Ongoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, or biologic therapy directed at a tumor.
3. Prosthesis, orthopedic implant, or dental braces that would interfere with volumetric analysis of target PN on MRI.
4. Use of an investigational agent within the past 30 days.
5. Any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease, active infection, active bleeding diatheses, or renal transplant, including any patient known to have hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will be excluded.
6. Participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study.
7. Refractory nausea and vomiting, chronic gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease), or significant bowel resection that would preclude adequate absorption.
8. Supplementation with vitamin E greater than 100% of the daily recommended dose. Any multivitamin containing vitamin E must be stopped prior to initiation of therapy.
9. Participants not achieving adequate blood pressure despite antihypertensive therapy for control of blood pressure.
10. Cardiac conditions:
1. Known inherited coronary disease
2. Symptomatic heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV prior or current cardiomyopathy, or severe valvular heart disease)
3. Prior or current cardiomyopathy
4. Severe valvular heart disease
5. History of atrial fibrillation
11. Ophthalmologic conditions:
1. Current or past history of central serous retinopathy or retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED).
2. Current or past history of retinal vein occlusion.
3. History of radiation therapy that included the orbit in the field of treatment.
4. Known intraocular pressure (IOP) \> 21 mmHg (or ULN adjusted by age) or uncontrolled glaucoma (irrespective of IOP). Participants with known glaucoma and increased IOP who do not have meaningful vision (light perception only or no light perception) and are not experiencing pain related to the glaucoma, may be eligible after discussion with the Study Chair.
5. Participants with any other significant abnormality on ophthalmic examination should be discussed with the Study Chair for potential eligibility.
6. Ophthalmological findings secondary to long-standing optic pathway glioma (such as visual loss, optic nerve pallor or strabismus) will NOT be considered a significant abnormality for the purposes of the study.
12. Known severe hypersensitivity to selumetinib or any excipient of selumetinib or history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to selumetinib.
13. Recent major surgery within a minimum of 4 weeks prior to starting study treatment.
14. Any unresolved chronic toxicity with CTCAE grade ≥ 2 from previous therapy, except for alopecia.
15. Receiving herbal supplements or medications known to be strong or moderate inhibitors or inducers of the cytochrome P450 (CYP)2C19 and CYP3A4 enzymes or fluconazole unless such products can be safely discontinued at least 14 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) before the first dose of study medication.
PART 3:
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Enrolled on Part 2 of this study and had PN growth \>20% OR development of PN related symptom(s) while on observation portion of Part 2 (including the first 2 years for the observation arm OR during first year of observation after treatment with selumetinib).
2. Body Surface Area (BSA): BSA ≥ 0.55 m2 \[pending availability of granule formulation\].
3. Performance status: Lansky performance ≥70%. Participants who are wheelchair bound because of paralysis or immobility secondary to a non-PN related manifestation of NF1 (such as tibial pseudarthrosis or severe scoliosis) should be considered ambulatory when they are in their wheelchair.
4. Able to swallow whole capsules \[Pending availability of granule formulation\].
5. Hematologic Function: Absolute neutrophil count ≥1200/µL, hemoglobin ≥9g/dL, and platelets ≥100,000/µL (without transfusions).
6. Hepatic Function: Bilirubin within 1.5 x the upper limit of normal for age, with the exception of those with Gilbert syndrome, and AST/ALT within ≤ 3 x upper limit of normal.
7. Renal Function: Creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR ≥60mL/min/1.73 m2 or a normal serum creatinine based on age, described in the table below.
Age (years) Maximum Serum Creatinine (mg/dL)
≤5 0.8 \>5 to ≤10 1.0 \>10 to ≤15 1.2 \>15 1.5
8. Cardiac Function:
1. Normal ejection fraction (ECHO or cardiac MRI) ≥ 53% (or the institutional normal; if a range is given then the upper value of the range will be used).
2. EKG with QTC or QTcF ≤450 msec.
9. Adequate Blood Pressure defined as:
A blood pressure (BP) ≤ the 95th percentile for age, height, and gender. Adequate blood pressure can be achieved using medication for treatment of hypertension. Participants must be on stable antihypertensive regimen for at least 30 days prior to study entry.
10. Willingness to avoid excessive sun exposure and use adequate sunscreen protection if sun exposure is anticipated.
11. Willingness to avoid the ingestion of grapefruit and Seville oranges (as well as other products containing these fruits, e.g., grapefruit juice or marmalade) during the study, as these may affect selumetinib metabolism.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Evidence of an optic pathway or other low-grade glioma, high-grade glioma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, or other cancer/tumor requiring treatment with chemotherapy, biologic therapy or radiation therapy.
2. Ongoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, or biologic therapy directed at a tumor.
3. Prosthesis, orthopedic implant, or dental braces that would interfere with volumetric analysis of target PN on MRI.
4. Any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease, active infection, active bleeding diatheses, or renal transplant, including any patient known to have hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will be excluded.
5. Participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study.
6. Refractory nausea and vomiting, chronic gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease), or significant bowel resection that would preclude adequate absorption.
7. Supplementation with vitamin E greater than 100% of the daily recommended dose. Any multivitamin containing vitamin E must be stopped prior to initiation of therapy.
8. Participants not achieving adequate blood pressure despite antihypertensive therapy for control of blood pressure.
9. Cardiac conditions:
1. Known inherited coronary disease
2. Symptomatic heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV prior or current cardiomyopathy, or severe valvular heart disease)
3. Prior or current cardiomyopathy
4. Severe valvular heart disease
5. History of atrial fibrillation
10. Ophthalmologic conditions:
1. Current or past history of central serous retinopathy or retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED).
2. Current or past history of retinal vein occlusion.
3. History of radiation therapy that included the orbit in the field of treatment.
4. Known intraocular pressure (IOP) \> 21 mmHg (or ULN adjusted by age) or uncontrolled glaucoma (irrespective of IOP). Participants with known glaucoma and increased IOP who do not have meaningful vision (light perception only or no light perception) and are not experiencing pain related to the glaucoma, may be eligible after discussion with the study chair.
5. Participants with any other significant abnormality on ophthalmic examination should be discussed with the Study Chair for potential eligibility.
6. Ophthalmological findings secondary to long-standing optic pathway glioma (such as visual loss, optic nerve pallor or strabismus) will NOT be considered a significant abnormality for the purposes of the study.
11. Known severe hypersensitivity to selumetinib or any excipient of selumetinib or history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to selumetinib.
12. Recent major surgery within a minimum of 4 weeks prior to starting study treatment.
13. Any unresolved chronic toxicity with CTC AE grade ≥ 2 from previous therapy, except for alopecia.
14. Receiving herbal supplements or medications known to be strong or moderate inhibitors or inducers of the cytochrome P450 (CYP)2C19 and CYP3A4 enzymes or fluconazole unless such products can be safely discontinued at least 14 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) before the first dose of study medication.
Where it's running
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Childrens of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, United States Recruiting -
Children's National Hospital
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States Recruiting -
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting -
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Show 9 more locations
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Riley Hospital for Children/Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Recruiting -
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
National Cancer Institute/ National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States Recruiting -
Washington University - St. Louis
St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting -
Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
University of Texas, Southwestern
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Karen Cole-Plourde, BA
- Email: kplourde@uab.edu
- Phone: 2055141317
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Combination therapy to shrink plexiform neurofibromas in NF1 patients
This trial tests whether the drugs cabozantinib and selumetinib can be safely given together to see if they help shrink progressive or painful plexiform neurofibromas in adolescents and adults with NF1.
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Real-world use of selumetinib for adult NF1 with inoperable plexiform neurofibromas
This registry-following study tests how well and safely selumetinib works in adults with NF1 who have symptomatic, inoperable PN.
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TQ-B3234 capsules for adults with symptomatic, inoperable NF1 plexiform neurofibromas
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.