Imatinib plus fampridine before surgery for KIT exon 11 gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Official title: Phase I Study of Preoperative Therapy Imatinib Mesylate and Fampridine in KIT Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Run by University of California, San Diego · NCT07171203 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether adding fampridine to standard imatinib before surgery is safe and helps shrink KIT exon 11 mutant GIST tumors in adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 18 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | imatinib, chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (La Jolla, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 2030 |
| Study ends | July 2031 |
| Registry record updated | May 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07171203 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18) with pathologically confirmed, treatment-naïve, KIT exon 11 mutant localized or locally advanced GIST who are candidates for neoadjuvant therapy, have measurable disease, ECOG 0–1, and adequate organ function would qualify.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without a KIT exon 11 mutation, those who have received prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have metastatic disease unsuitable for resection, poor performance status, or significant organ dysfunction are unlikely to benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a Phase 1 dose-finding trial giving fampridine together with standard-dose imatinib to adults with treatment-naïve KIT exon 11 mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors prior to planned surgical resection. Participants take both drugs for at least two months (with the option to continue longer if tolerated) and attend scheduled clinic visits for safety labs, imaging, and other monitoring. The primary goal is to identify the maximum tolerated dose of fampridine when combined with imatinib and to document adverse events; secondary goals include preliminary signals of tumor response. Eligibility requires measurable disease, ECOG performance status 0–1, adequate organ function, and confirmation of a KIT exon 11 mutation by sequencing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could increase tumor shrinkage before surgery and potentially allow less extensive operations or better long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Imatinib is an established first-line drug for GIST, but combining it with a potassium-channel blocker like fampridine is a novel approach supported primarily by preclinical data rather than prior clinical success.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of written informed consent prior to any screening procedures * Age ≥ 18 years * Having been pathologically confirmed to have a KIT exon 11 mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor assessed for KIT variant mutations by next generation sequencing * Treatment naïve gastrointestinal stromal tumor * Described as a primary localized, locally advanced, or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor in any location that would benefit from preoperative therapy before tumor surgical resection * Has measurable or evaluable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1. * Has Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0-1 * Has adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal function: Absolute Neutrophil Count ≥ 1.5 x 10\^9/L; Hemoglobin ≥ 11 g/dL; Platelets ≥ 100 x 10\^9/L; Serum total bilirubin \< 2.0 x upper limit of normal; Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase ≤ 5 x upper limit of normal; Plasma creatinine phosphokinase \< 1.5 x upper limit of normal; Serum creatinine ≤ 1.0 x upper limit of normal or calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 50ml/min based upon the Cockcroft-Gault Equation * Life expectancy of ≥ 5 years * Participants able to cause pregnancy agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy and for 120 days after the last dose Exclusion Criteria: * Unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol * KIT exon 9, 13, 14, 17, or 18 mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor by next generation sequencing. * Non-KIT mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor * Have residual tumor following surgical debulking * Have had major surgery within 4 weeks of initiation of study medication. * Of childbearing potential * Pregnant or nursing. * Received imatinib monotherapy prior to the first dose of study treatment with imatinib plus fampridine and has demonstrated tumor shrinkage in computed tomography assessment images. * Received fampridine prior to the first dose of study treatment with imatinib plus fampridine. * Use of compounded fampridine or other forms of fampridine. * Known brain metastases and any other progressive neurologic dysfunction should be excluded from this clinical trial because of their poor prognosis and because their progressive neurologic dysfunction would confound the evaluation of neurologic and other adverse events. * Evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., unstable, or uncompensated respiratory, cardiac \[including life threatening arrhythmias\] disease). * Presence of cardiac impairment defined as: * Prior history of cardiovascular disease including heart failure that meets New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and IV definitions; OR * History of myocardial infarction/active ischemic heart disease within one year of study entry; OR * Uncontrolled dysrhythmias; OR * Poorly controlled angina. * Unresolved toxicity Common Terminology Criteria Adverse Events (CTCAE) Grade ≥ 2 from previous anti-cancer therapy. * Allergy or sensitivity to fampridine or known allergies to aminopyridine products, which in the opinion of the investigator(s) suggests an increased potential for an adverse hypersensitivity to fampridine. * Allergy to imatinib. * Any chronic liver disease including, but not limited to cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, hepatic, or biliary autoimmune disorders (i.e., primary biliary cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis). Exception: Patients aged ≤ 65 years with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease detected by imaging are acceptable if adequate hepatic function as defined in the inclusion criteria is confirmed. Note: Patients aged \> 65 years with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are excluded from the study. * Any evidence or history of hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C. * Medical condition such as uncontrolled infection, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or cardiac disease that, in the opinion of the investigator(s), would make this study unreasonably hazardous for the patient. * Any other disease or clinically significant abnormality in laboratory parameters, including serious medical or psychiatric illness/condition, which in the judgment of the investigator(s) likely might compromise the safety of the participant or the integrity of the study, interfere with the participant participation in the trial, or compromise the trial objectives. * History of seizures. * Cannot swallow oral formulations of the medications or lack physical integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract, or has known malabsorption syndromes. Note: imatinib tablets can be dissolved in water or apple juice if participants have difficulty swallowing. * Have taken part in an experimental drug study within 4 weeks of initiating study treatment with imatinib plus fampridine * Receiving other anti-neoplastic therapy (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiotherapy) concurrently or within 4 weeks of starting study treatment with imatinib plus fampridine * Receiving medications that inhibit the renal Organic Cation Transporter 2 (OCT2), such as cimetidine and quinidine, because of possible drug-drug interactions. * Receiving medications known to be strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4/5. * Receiving medications known to be strong inhibitors or inducers of cytochrome CYP2E1 or medications metabolized by cytochrome CYP2B6 or CYP2C9/19 that have narrow therapeutic index and that cannot be discontinued before starting study treatment.
Where it's running
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University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Paul Fanta, MD — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Paul Fanta, MD
- Email: cancerCTO@health.ucsd.edu
- Phone: (858) 822-5354
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Oral Liporaxel (paclitaxel) treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors
This study will test whether taking oral Liporaxel (a form of paclitaxel) can help people with advanced GIST who stopped responding to imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib and whose tumors have low P‑glycoprotein levels.
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Combination of rivoceranib and paclitaxel for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors
This study is testing if a new combination of two drugs, rivoceranib and paclitaxel, can help adults with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors that haven't improved with standard treatments.
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Using imatinib to improve outcomes in gastrointestinal stromal tumors
This study is testing if monitoring imatinib levels can help improve the quality of life for people with gastrointestinal stromal tumors while reducing side effects.
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5 years of imatinib treatment for high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors
This study is testing if taking imatinib for five years after surgery can help people with high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors avoid their cancer coming back.
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Velzatinib for advanced GIST after multiple prior TKIs
This study tests velzatinib to see if it can shrink or slow tumors in people with metastatic or unresectable GIST who have progressed on or could not tolerate standard therapies.
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DCC-2618 in GIST after at least 3 prior treatments
This trial tests whether DCC-2618 is safe in people with advanced GIST who have already tried at least three other treatments.
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.