Nal-IRI plus 5-FU/LV and oxaliplatin as first-line therapy for advanced small intestine and appendix cancers
Official title: Liposomal Irinotecan (Nal-IRI) Plus 5-fluorouracil and Leucovorin (5-FU/LV) Plus Oxaliplatin (NALIRIFOX) as First-Line Chemotherapy for Patients With Advanced Small Intestine and Appendiceal Cancers
Run by The Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NCT07060014 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether the NALIRIFOX combination can be given as the first treatment to see if it is safe and helpful for adults with advanced small intestine or appendix cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 22 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The Methodist Hospital Research Institute Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation, prednisone |
| Locations | 2 sites (Houston, Texas and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 18, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | November 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07060014 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with confirmed advanced mucinous or non-mucinous appendix cancer or advanced small intestine cancer, measurable disease, and adequate organ function.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with intolerance to the regimen or with disease biology not responsive to this chemotherapy may not 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 interventional study evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of the NAPOLI-3–based regimen (nal-IRI with 5-FU/LV and oxaliplatin) as initial chemotherapy for adults with advanced small intestine or appendiceal cancers. About 22 participants will receive the regimen every 2 weeks for up to 12 months, following the dosing plan from the NAPOLI-3 trial. Eligibility requires measurable disease, good performance status, and certain laboratory and reproductive criteria. The study is conducted at two Houston, TX sites and led by The Methodist Hospital Research Institute. The primary focus is to characterize safety and obtain early signals of efficacy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience disease control with a potentially active chemotherapy combination as their first-line treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Similar regimens have been explored in other GI cancers, but this specific first-line approach in small intestine/appendiceal cancers is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Male or female ≥18 years of age.
2. Histopathologically or cytologically confirmed advanced mucinous or non-mucinous appendix cancer or advanced small intestine cancer.
3. Measurable disease per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1.
4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1.
5. Life expectancy ≥6 months.
6. Patients of childbearing potential must agree to use an adequate method of contraception during the study and for 30 days after the last dose of study treatment.
Exclusion Criteria:
* 1\. Hematology laboratory values of:
1. Absolute neutrophil count ≤1500 cells/mm3
2. Platelets ≤100,000 cells/mm3
3. Hemoglobin ≤9 g/dL
4. White blood count ≤3000 cells/mm3. 2. Hepatic laboratory values of aspartate transaminase or alanine aminotransferase:
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1. \>5 × upper limits of normal (ULN) if the documented history of hepatic metastases; or
2. \>2.5 × ULN if no liver metastases are present. 3. Total bilirubin \>1.5 × ULN or \>1.5 mg/dL. 4. Prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio (INR) \>1.5 × ULN. Note: Patients receiving therapeutic doses of anticoagulant therapy may be considered eligible if PT and INR are within the acceptable institutional therapeutic limits.
5\. Serum creatinine or serum urea \>1.5 × ULN. 6. Estimated glomerular filtration rate \<50 mL/min. 7. Positive pregnancy test, pregnancy, or breastfeeding (female patients only). 8. Any other clinically significant laboratory abnormality that would compromise patient safety or the outcome of the study.
9\. Any clinically significant and/or uncontrolled cardiac-related abnormality that would compromise patient safety or the outcome of the study including, but not limited to:
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1. Arrhythmia
2. Bradycardia
3. Tachycardia
4. Symptomatic valvular disease
5. Symptomatic congestive heart failure is classified by the New York Heart Association as Class III or IV
6. Unstable angina pectoris. 10. Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months. 11. Active bleeding diathesis. 12. Current complaints of persistent constipation or history of chronic constipation, bowel obstruction, or fecaloma within the past 6 months.
13\. Receiving chronic treatment with corticosteroids ≥5 mg of prednisone per day (or equivalent) or another immunosuppressive agent (s) 14. Known history and/or uncontrolled hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibody, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 or HIV-2.
15\. History of galactose intolerance, deficiency of Lapp lactase, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
16\. History of malignancy or active treatment for malignancy (i.e., radiation or chemotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies) within 5 years. Note: Patients with squamous or basal cell carcinomas of the skin, carcinomas in situ of the cervix or uterus, ductal breast cancer in situ, resected low-grade prostate cancer, or other malignancies that in the opinion of the investigator are considered cured may participate.
17\. Receipt of live, attenuated vaccine (e.g., intranasal influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) or close contact with someone who has received a live, attenuated vaccine within the past 1 month. Note: Influenza vaccine will be allowed if administered \>21 days.
18\. Receipt of any investigational agent or study treatment within the past 30 days.
19\. Receipt of any protein or antibody-based therapeutic agents (e.g., growth hormones or monoclonal antibodies) within the past 3 months.
20\. Allergies reaction to irinotecan or liposomal irinotecan.
Where it's running
-
Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics 6565 Fannin M604
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Maen Abdelrahim, MD,PhD
- Email: mabdelrahim@houstonmethodist.org
- Phone: 713-441-1240
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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.