Evaluating HTL0039732 for Advanced Solid Tumours
Official title: A Cancer Research UK Phase I/IIa Trial of HTL0039732, Given Orally as Monotherapy and in Combination With Immunotherapy or Other Approved Therapies in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumours
Run by Cancer Research UK · NCT05944237 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new drug called HTL0039732, alone and with another treatment, to see if it can help people with advanced solid tumors by boosting their immune response against cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Cancer Research UK Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | atezolizumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 6 sites (Cambridge and 5 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 2, 2023 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05944237 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals with advanced solid tumours that are refractory to conventional treatments or for whom no further conventional therapy is appropriate.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with early-stage cancers or those who have not yet received conventional therapies 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 trial investigates HTL0039732, a novel EP4 antagonist, administered alone and in combination with atezolizumab, an established immune checkpoint inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumours. The study aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of HTL0039732 in overcoming immune suppression caused by elevated prostaglandin E2 levels in cancer. Participants will receive HTL0039732 capsules and may also receive atezolizumab infusion, with the potential for future expansion to include other approved anti-cancer therapies. The trial will evaluate the drug's ability to enhance immune responses against cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could improve immune system activity against advanced solid tumours, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar immune checkpoint inhibitors, suggesting potential for success with this novel combination approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Written (signed and dated) informed consent and capable of co-operating with investigational medicinal product administration and follow-up.
2. Phase 1, dose escalation phase
Part A (HTL0039732 monotherapy):
* Histologically or cytologically proven advanced solid tumour, refractory to conventional treatment, or for which no further conventional therapy is considered appropriate by the Investigator or is declined by the potential participant.
* At least 1 measurable lesion according to RECIST v1.1, which (in the Investigator's opinion) has had objective radiological progression on or after the last therapy, or at least one assessable lesion e.g. pleural or peritoneal thickening that does not fulfil RECIST v1.1 criteria for measurable disease.
* Consent to access and analysis of any available archival tissue or a fresh tumour sample at baseline, if archival tissue is unavailable.
* Consent for fresh tumour biopsy sample(s) at time of PD, if the participant has accessible disease and is eligible to receive atezolizumab. Optional at time of disease progression.
Phase 1 Part B:
\- Histologically proven advanced solid tumour where PGE2/EP4 signalling is believed to be more prevalent or significant (such as microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS CRC), gastro-esophageal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), mCRPC, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, mesothelioma, cervical cancer, renal cancer, sarcoma, pheochromocytoma and cancers with PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activating mutations using a clinically-validated assay).
Phase 2a:
\- Histologically proven advanced solid tumour, in line with indications listed below, refractory to conventional treatment, or for which no conventional therapy is considered appropriate by the Investigator or is declined by the potential participant:
1. MSS CRC with PIK3CA or HER2 mutation/genetic aberration, and/or other driver mutation/genetic aberration as agreed with the Sponsor (genomic alteration to have been previously identified using a validated next-generation sequencing method performed on either tumour tissue or circulating tumour DNA \[ctDNA\]); where applicable, results from validated immunohistochemistry are also acceptable.
2. Gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) adenocarcinoma;
3. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma;
4. mCRPC
Phase 1 Part B and Phase 2a:
* Consent to access and analysis of any available archival tissue.
* Consent for fresh tumour biopsy samples at baseline and on treatment. However, the following exceptions will be permitted if archival tissue is available at the recruiting site:
1. Patients with mCRPC: biopsies are not required for those whose only safely accessible lesions are bone metastases that lack an accessible soft tissue component.
2. For the first 12 participants in each indication: the on-trial biopsy is optional; and the baseline biopsy is mandatory if there is a safely accessible lesion but may be omitted for patients who have no safely accessible lesion, to permit their inclusion in the study. This will continually be assessed through the study.
* Disease refractory to conventional treatment, or for which no further conventional therapy is considered appropriate by the Investigator or is declined by the participant.
* Except for mCRPC, at least 1 measurable lesion according to RECIST v1.1, which (in the Investigator's opinion) has had objective radiological progression on or after the last therapy. Potential participants with mCRPC may instead have had PD according to PCWG3 criteria.
1. Previously irradiated lesions cannot be counted as target lesions unless clearly progressed after the radiotherapy.
2. Lesions that are intended to be biopsied should not be counted as target lesions (those undergoing biopsy must have at least one target lesion that is not intended to be biopsied).
* For indications where anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy is standard of care (such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma, or gastric or GOJ adenocarcinoma with elevated PD-L1 expression), patients must have received that therapy and must be considered to have had progressive disease by the Investigator either on, or within 6 months after, that treatment.
3. Life expectancy of at least 12 weeks.
4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1.
5. Haematological and biochemical indices within the protocol specified ranges.
6. Stable thyroid function tests. Stable doses of thyroxine replacement are permitted.
7. Aged 18 years or over at the time consent is given.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Radiotherapy (except for palliative reasons), chemotherapy, non chemotherapy systemic anti-cancer therapy (apart from life-long hormone suppression such as luteinising hormone-releasing agents in participants with mCRPC) or investigational medicinal products during the 4 weeks prior to enrolment; or first dose of an immunotherapy during the previous 12 weeks before first dose of HTL0039732.
2. Ongoing toxic manifestations of previous treatments that are Grade \>1 per CTCAE v5.0.
3. Any central nervous system metastases (unless potential participants have had local therapy and are asymptomatic, radiologically stable and have been off steroids for ≥4 weeks prior to enrolment).
4. Women of child-bearing potential (or who are already pregnant or lactating). Exceptions apply.
5. Men with partners of childbearing potential. Exceptions apply.
6. Major thoracic or abdominal surgery from which the potential participant has not yet recovered.
7. At high medical risk because of non-malignant systemic disease, including active uncontrolled infection.
8. Known history of current or latent tuberculosis, HIV or Hepatitis B or C infection.
9. Prior treatment with EP4 inhibitor.
10. Treatment with selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in the 8 weeks prior to enrolment.
11. Known hypersensitivity or intolerance to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or any of the excipients used in HTL0039732 Tablets (microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide or Opadry® QX coating \[macrogol (PEG) polyvinyl alcohol graft copolymer, talc, iron oxide red, part hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide black, titanium dioxide\]).
12. Use of systemic immunosuppressive agent in the 2 weeks prior to enrolment. Exceptions apply.
13. Current or prior malignancy that could affect safety or efficacy assessment of the IMP or compliance with the protocol or interpretation of results. Patients with curatively-treated non-melanoma skin cancer, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, or carcinomas-in-situ are generally eligible.
14. Significant cardiovascular disease.
15. Known active peptic ulcer disease, or symptoms of gastritis, dyspepsia or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (one or more episodes per week).
16. Current or planned participation in another interventional clinical trial, whilst taking part in this trial of HTL0039732.
17. Potential participants at increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (including individuals receiving concomitant anticoagulants, or with known coagulopathies or other factors predisposing them to bleeding) if intolerant to gastric protection therapy with PPIs or equivalent.
18. Limited ability to swallow or absorb oral medications.
19. Any other condition that, in the Investigator's opinion, would mean that the trial is not in the best interests of the potential participant.
Phase 1 Part B and Phase 2a:
20. Clinically significant primary or secondary immunodeficiency.
21. Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment in the 2 years prior to enrolment.
22. History or clinical suspicion of interstitial lung disease, history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids, or current pneumonitis.
23. Hypersensitivity to atezolizumab or any of its excipients.
24. Prior adverse reaction to cancer immunotherapy that required steroid or other immunosuppressive treatment or led to discontinuation of that treatment.
Where it's running
-
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Cambridge, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Velindre Cancer Centre
Cardiff, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Ninewells Hospital
Dundee, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
Liverpool, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Guy's Hospital
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
The Christie Hospital
Manchester, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Bristi Basu, Dr
- Email: Bristi.Basu@nhs.net
- Phone: +44 (0) 1223 769310
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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.