Clinical trial Recruiting at 4 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 to 99 Women only

Testing a new drug combination for certain types of gynecological cancers

Official title: A Phase 2 Study of VS-6766 (Dual RAF/MEK Inhibitor) Plus Defactinib (FAK Inhibitor) in Recurrent Gynecological Cancers (DURAFAK)

Run by University of Oklahoma · NCT05512208 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new combination of two drugs to see if they can help people with certain types of gynecological cancers feel better and improve their treatment outcomes.

More Cervical Cancer trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 99 Years
SexWomen only
Enrollment55 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Oklahoma
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsbevacizumab, Avutometinib, chemotherapy, radiation, defactinib
Locations4 sites (Orlando, Florida and 3 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 6, 2023
Main results expectedDecember 2027
Study endsDecember 2029
Registry record updatedOctober 22, 2025
Trial IDNCT05512208 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are female patients aged 18 and older with specific mutations in their tumors and who have experienced progression or recurrence of their cancer after prior treatments.

Probably not a fit

Patients without the required tumor mutations or those who have not received prior systemic therapy 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 Phase 2 study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of the drug combination Avutometinib (VS-6766) and Defactinib in patients with specific gynecological cancers, including endometrioid and mucinous ovarian cancers. Participants will take the medications orally and undergo regular assessments, including physical exams and tumor evaluations, to monitor their response and any side effects. The study aims to gather data on how well these drugs work together in treating these cancers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat gynecological cancers.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar drug combinations targeting specific mutations in cancer, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Female subjects ≥ 18 years of age.
2. Histologically proven gynecological cancers (endometrioid, MOC, HGSOC and solid gynecological cancers) with mutated RAS, BRAF (type I, II, and/or III), NF-1 loss of function, and/or RAS activation.

   1. Mutational status will be taken from the previous next-gen sequencing (NGS) or molecular testing results and reviewed by the Principal Investigator prior to the start of treatment.
   2. Adequate pathology material (as defined in the lab manual) must be available prior to treatment assignment to be used for confirmation.
3. Tumor with known RAS mutation, BRAF (type I, II, and/or III) mutation, NF-1 and/or RAS activation status determined from previous NGS or molecular testing. Adequate archival tumor tissue less than 5 years old or fresh biopsy tissue samples (as defined in the lab manual) must be available.
4. Progression (radiographic or clinical) or recurrence of gynecological cancer after at least one prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease. Below are additional prior treatments that are allowed once the requirement of prior platinum therapy is satisfied.

   a. Prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease (FIGO stage II-IV) may consist of chemotherapy administered as single agent or a platinum or another chemotherapy doublet with or without bevacizumab, with or without maintenance therapy or radiation therapy; and/or hormonal therapy.
5. Measurable disease according to RECIST 1.1.
6. An Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2.
7. Must have adequate organ function defined by the following laboratory parameters:

   1. Adequate hematologic function including: hemoglobin \[Hb\] ≥9.0 g/dL; platelets ≥100,000/mm3; and absolute neutrophil count \[ANC\] ≥1500/mm3). If a red blood cell transfusion has been administered the Hb must remain stable and ≥9 g/dL for at least 1 week prior to first dose of study therapy.
   2. Adequate hepatic function: (i) total bilirubin ≤1.5 × upper limit of normal \[ULN\] for the institution; subjects with Gilbert syndrome may enroll if total bilirubin is \<3.0 mg/dL (51 μmole/L) upon discussion with the Principal Investigator (PI). (ii) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alanine aminotransferase (AST) ≤2.5 × ULN (or \<5x ULN in subjects with liver metastases).
   3. Adequate renal function with creatinine clearance rate of ≥50 mL/min as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula or serum creatinine of ≤ 1.5 x ULN.
   4. International normalized ratio (INR) ≤ 1.5 and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) ≤ 1.5 x ULN in the absence of anticoagulation or therapeutic levels in the presence of anticoagulation.
   5. Albumin ≥3.0 g/dL (451 μmole/L).
   6. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) ≤2.5 x ULN.
   7. Adequate cardiac function with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 55% by echocardiography (ECHO) or multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan.
8. Baseline QTc interval \< 460 ms (average of triplicate readings) (CTCAE Grade1) using Fredericia's QT correction formula. NOTE: This criterion does not apply to subjects with a right or left bundle branch block.
9. Adequate recovery from toxicities related to prior treatments to at least Grade 1 by CTCAE v 5.0
10. Exceptions include alopecia and peripheral neuropathy Grade ≤2. Subjects with other toxicities that are stable on supportive therapy may be allowed to participate with prior approval by the Sponsor.
11. Females with reproductive potential and their male partners agree to use highly effective method of contraceptive (per recommendations in Section 13.4) during the trial and for 1 month following the last dose of Avutometinib for female patients.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Systemic anti-cancer therapy within 4 weeks of the first dose of study therapy.
2. Prior MEKi or RAFi exposure.
3. Low grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC).
4. History of prior malignancy with recurrence \<3 years from the time of enrollment. Subjects with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, superficial bladder cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, and in situ cervical cancer that has undergone potentially curative therapy with no evidence of disease recurrence for ≥1 year since completion of the appropriate therapy may be included. Subjects with other malignancies associated with very low risk of metastasis or death may be included upon discussion with the PI.
5. Subjects who are deemed in the opinion of their treating physician to be appropriate candidates for a debulking surgery. These subjects should preferentially receive surgery prior to consideration of trial therapy.
6. Major surgery within 4 weeks (excluding placement of vascular access), minor surgery within 2 weeks, or palliative radiotherapy within 1 week (7 days) of the first dose of study therapy.
7. Treatment with warfarin. Subjects on warfarin for DVT/PE can be converted to low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).
8. Exposure to strong CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers within 14 days prior to the first dose and during the course of therapy. See Table 14 and Table 15 for representative lists of CYP inhibitors and inducers. For additional guidance, see https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-interactions-labeling/drug-development-and-druginteractions-table-substrates-inhibitors-and-inducers.
9. Exposure to P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors or inducers within 14 days prior to the first dose and during the course of the study. See Table 16 for a representative list of P-gp inhibitors and inducers.
10. Symptomatic brain metastases requiring steroids or other interventions. These metastases may manifest as altered mental status, persistent headaches, persistent nausea, focal weakness or numbness, and seizures. Subjects with previously diagnosed brain metastases are eligible if they have completed their treatment and have recovered from the acute effects of radiation therapy or surgery prior to study entry, have discontinued corticosteroid treatment for these metastases for at least 2 weeks prior to first dose of study therapy, and are neurologically stable, with no evidence of interim progression. Subjects with new asymptomatic CNS metastases detected during the screening period must receive radiation therapy and/or surgery for CNS metastases. Following treatment, these subjects may then be eligible if all other criteria are met.
11. Known SARS-Cov2 infection (clinical symptoms) ≤28 days prior to first dose of study therapy.
12. Known hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that is active and/or requires therapy.
13. Active skin disorder that has required systemic therapy within the past year.
14. History of rhabdomyolysis.
15. Concurrent ocular disorders:

    1. Subjects with history of glaucoma, history of retinal vein occlusion (RVO), predisposing factors for RVO, including uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes.
    2. Subject with history of retinal pathology or evidence of visible retinal pathology that is considered a risk factor for RVO, intraocular pressure \> 21 mm Hg as measured by tonometry, or other significant ocular pathology, such as anatomical abnormalities that increase the risk for RVO.
    3. Subjects with a history of corneal erosion (instability of corneal epithelium), corneal degeneration, active or recurrent keratitis, and other forms of serious ocular surface inflammatory conditions.
16. Concurrent congestive heart failure, prior history of class III/ IV cardiac disease (New York Heart Association \[NYHA\]), myocardial infarction within the last 6 months, unstable arrhythmias, unstable angina, or severe obstructive pulmonary disease.
17. Subjects with the inability to swallow oral medications or impaired gastrointestinal absorption due to gastrectomy or active inflammatory bowel disease.
18. Subjects with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the active or inactive Avutometinib ingredients (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, mannitol, magnesium stearate) of the investigational product.
19. Female subjects who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
20. Any other medical condition (e.g. cardiac, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, psychiatric, neurological, genetic, etc.) that in the opinion of the investigator would place the subject at unacceptably high risk for toxicity.

Where it's running

  • AdventHealth
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Louisiana State University Medical Center New Orleans
    New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
    Recruiting
  • Stephenson Cancer Center
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Christina Washington, MD — OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center
  • Study coordinator: SCC IIT Office
  • Email: SCC-IIT-Office@ouhsc.edu
  • Phone: 4052718777

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.