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Lorlatinib for newly diagnosed high-grade glioma with ALK or ROS1 fusions

A Pilot Study of Lorlatinib for Treatment of Children With Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Glioma With ROS-1 (ROS Proto-Oncogene 1, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase) or ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) Fusion

Early Phase 1 Interventional Nationwide Children's Hospital · NCT06333899

This trial will test whether the oral medicine lorlatinib helps children and young adults (ages 1–21) with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas that have ALK or ROS1 fusions, given alone, with chemotherapy, or after radiation.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages1 Year to 21 Years
SexAll
SponsorNationwide Children's Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionslorlatinib, loraltinib, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, loratinib
Locations18 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 17 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06333899 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multi-institutional early phase 1 pilot enrolls children and young adults with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas harboring ALK or ROS1 fusions to receive oral lorlatinib either alone, with standard chemotherapy, or following focal radiotherapy depending on age and treatment group. Patients receive two cycles of daily lorlatinib at pediatric or adult dosing to determine disease control rate (complete response, partial response, or stable disease) and to assess feasibility and safety of combination with chemotherapy. Those with complete responses after two cycles may continue lorlatinib monotherapy for up to 12 28-day cycles, with extension up to 26 cycles at physician discretion if benefiting. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival and overall survival.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children and young adults aged 12 months to 21 years with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed high-grade glioma (including DIPG) whose tumors carry ALK or ROS1 fusions are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not have ALK or ROS1 fusions, those older than 21, or those requiring craniospinal radiation for disseminated disease are unlikely to benefit from this targeted protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, lorlatinib could provide an effective targeted oral option that controls tumor growth and potentially extends survival for children with ALK- or ROS1-fused high-grade gliomas.

How similar studies have performed: Lorlatinib has documented activity in ALK-positive lung cancer and early pediatric case reports and series suggest activity in ALK/ROS1-fused brain tumors, but prospective trials in newly diagnosed pediatric high-grade glioma remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients must be ≥ 12 months and ≤ 21 years of age at the time of study enrollment on TarGeT-SCR.
2. Diagnosis:

   Patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma (HGG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), whose tumors harbor an ALK or ROS-1 fusion alteration are eligible. Patients must have had histologically verified high-grade glioma from diagnostic biopsy or resection. For the diagnosis of DIPG, patients must have a tumor with pontine epicenter and diffuse involvement of at least 2/3 of the pons, with histopathology consistent with diffuse WHO Grade 2-4. All other HGGs must be Grade 3 or 4.
3. Disease Status:

   Patients with disseminated DIPG or HGG are eligible only if the patient is to receive chemotherapy only, i.e. no craniospinal RT is intended to be given. MRI of spine must be performed if disseminated disease is suspected clinically by the treating physicians. Patients with primary spinal tumors are eligible only if the patient is to receive either chemotherapy or focal radiation therapy, i.e., no craniospinal RT is intended to be given. Patients with leptomeningeal disease only, with no definitive identifiable primary tumor, and documented ALK or ROS-1 fusion, must be discussed with the Study Chair on a case-by-case basis.
4. Performance Level:

   Karnofsky ≥ 50% for patients \> 16 years of age and Lansky ≥ 50 for patients ≤ 16 years of age (See Appendix I). Patients who are unable to walk because of paralysis, but who are up in a wheelchair, will be considered ambulatory for the purpose of assessing the performance score.
5. Prior Therapy:

   * Patients must not have received any prior anti-cancer chemotherapy.
   * Prior use of corticosteroids is allowed (see below Exclusion Criteria)
6. Organ Function Requirements 6.1 Adequate Bone Marrow Function Defined as:

   * Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1000/μL
   * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/μL (transfusion independent, defined as not receiving platelet transfusions for at least 7 days prior to enrollment)
   * Hemoglobin \>8 g/dL (may receive transfusions) 6.2 Adequate Renal Function Defined as:
   * Serum creatinine within normal institutional limits OR Creatinine clearance or radioisotope GFR ≥ 70ml/min/1.73 m2 6.3 Adequate Liver Function Defined as:
   * Total bilirubin ≤ 2 × institutional upper limit of normal
   * AST(aspartate aminotransferase)/ALT(alanine transaminase) ≤ 2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal 6.4 Adequate Pulmonary Function Defined as: Pulse oximetry \> 94% on room air if there is clinical indication for determination (e.g. dyspnea at rest).

6.5Adequate Cardiac Function Defined as: QTc ≤ 470 msec (by Bazett formula) 6.6 Adequate Neurologic Function Defined as: Patients with seizure disorder may be enrolled if on anticonvulsants and well controlled.

6.7 Informed Consent: All patients and/or their parents or legally authorized representatives must sign a written informed consent. Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained according to institutional guidelines

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant or breast-feeding women will not be entered on this study due to unknown risks of fetal and teratogenic adverse events as seen in animal/human studies. Pregnancy tests must be obtained in girls who are post-menarchal. Males or females of reproductive potential may not participate unless they have agreed to use an effective contraceptive method.

   Females of reproductive potential must use an effective non-hormonal method of contraception, since lorlatinib can render hormonal contraceptives ineffective, during study treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose. Males with female partners of reproductive potential must use effective contraception during treatment with lorlatinib and for 3 months after the final dose.
2. Concomitant Medications

   * Investigational Agents/Drugs: Patients who have previously received or are currently receiving another investigational drug are not eligible.
   * Anti-cancer Agents: Patients who have previously received or are currently receiving other anti-cancer agents, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, biologic or targeted therapy, are not eligible
3. Infection: Patients must not have any active, uncontrolled systemic bacterial, viral or fungal infection.
4. Patients who have received prior solid organ transplantation are not eligible.
5. Patients must not have malabsorption syndrome or other condition affecting oral absorption.
6. Patients must not be receiving any treatment with a strong cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor or inducer. Discontinue strong CYP3A inducers for 3 plasma half-lives of the strong CYP3A inducer prior to treatment with loraltinib. Moderate inducers of CYP3A4 should be avoided
7. Avoid concomitant use of lorlatinib with certain CYP3A substrates, for which minimal concentration changes may lead to serious therapeutic failures. If concomitant use is unavoidable, increase the CYP3A substrate dosage in accordance with approved product labeling.
8. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates: Lorlatinib is considered a moderate P-gp inducer. Co-administration of lorlatinib with P-gp substrates including but not limited to digoxin should be avoided as the concentration of these drugs may be reduced by lorlatinib.
9. Patients who in the opinion of the investigator may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study are not eligible.
10. Patients with a known personal history of acute or chronic severe psychiatric disorders or current history of suicidal ideation and history of suicide attempt.

Where this trial is running

Aurora, Colorado and 17 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions High Grade GliomaDiffuse Intrinsic Pontine GliomaAnaplastic AstrocytomaInfant Type Hemispheric GliomaGlioblastomaGlioblastoma MultiformeWHO Grade III GliomaWHO Grade IV Glioma
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.