Using Duloxetine to Treat Neurotoxicity from Cancer Treatment

A Single-arm Phase II Study of Duloxetine for the Treatment of Neurotoxicity Induced by Antibody-drug Conjugate

This study is testing if duloxetine can help cancer patients who have nerve pain from their treatment feel better.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 37 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Fudan University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
• Trial ID: NCT06551051 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II trial investigates the effectiveness of duloxetine in alleviating peripheral neuropathy caused by antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in cancer patients. The study involves a single-arm design where eligible participants receive duloxetine after experiencing significant neurotoxicity from their cancer treatment. The trial includes a screening period, a treatment phase, and a follow-up period to monitor safety and efficacy. Participants must have stable tumors and meet specific health criteria to qualify for the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with advanced cancer who have experienced grade 2 or higher peripheral neurotoxicity from ADCs.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced significant neurotoxicity from ADCs or those with unstable tumors may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

How similar studies have performed: While duloxetine has shown promise in treating peripheral neuropathy from other chemotherapy agents, its effectiveness specifically for ADC-induced neurotoxicity is still being evaluated, making this approach somewhat novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged ≥ 18 years;
2. patients with a diagnosis confirmed by histological and/or cytological examination combined with imaging or ultrasound assessment of various advanced cancers;
3. consent to treatment;
4. ECOG score: 0 to 2;
5. have a recent treatment regimen that includes an ADC class of drug and experience a resulting grade 2 or higher peripheral neurotoxicity that has been discontinued, and grade 2 or higher peripheral neurotoxicity that has lasted for more than 28 days; and the tumour remains stable in the short term, and may be treated without the use of drugs that can cause peripheral neurotoxicity (ADCs, platinums, paclitaxels, etc.) for a period of two months.
6. Have adequate organ function:

(1) blood routine: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) 1.5×109/L, Platelet (PLT) ≥70×109/L, Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥80g/L; (2) Liver function: serum Total Bilirubin (TBIL) ≤1.5×Upper Limit of Normal Value (ULN); Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) ≥1.5×Upper Limit of Normal Value (ULN). Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) ≤3×ULN; serum albumin ≥28 g/L; Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) ≤5×ULN; after routine hepatoprotective treatment meeting the above criteria, and can be stabilised for at least 1 week after evaluation by the investigator can be enrolled; 3) Renal function: serum creatinine (Cr) ≤ 2 × ULN or creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/mi (applying the standard Cockcroft-Gault formula); 7. a predicted survival of ≥ 3 months; and tumour stability in the near future. 8. ability to comply with study visit schedules and other protocol requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. peripheral neurotoxicity of grade 2 or higher has occurred with platinum-containing paclitaxel chemotherapy prior to prior ADC class administration, and the toxicity has not significantly worsened before or after ADC administration;
2. patients with severe diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease;
3. patients with a history of neuropathy due to any type of nerve compression (e.g., carpal tunnel or tarsal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, brachial plexopathy), severe depression, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and severe eating disorders
4. active or uncontrolled serious infections (≥ CTCAE grade 2 infections) requiring administration of systemic antibacterial, antifungal or antiviral therapy, including tuberculosis infections.
5. active hepatitis (aminotransferases do not meet the inclusion criteria, Hepatitis B reference: HBV DNA ≥2000 IU/ml or ≥104 copy number/ml; Hepatitis C reference: HCV RNA ≥2000 IU/ml or ≥104 copy number/ml; below the above criteria after nucleoside analogue antiviral therapy, can be enrolled); Chronic Hepatitis B viral carriers with HBV DNA \< 104 IU/ml, must receive concomitant antiviral therapy during the trial to be enrolled;
6. renal failure requiring haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis;
7. those with a history of immunodeficiency, including being HIV-positive or suffering from other acquired or congenital immunodeficiency diseases, or with a history of organ transplantation
8. those with severe nausea, headache, insomnia, fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness and constipation
9. those with a history of active tuberculosis
10. uncontrolled, still need repeated drainage appearing ascites, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion;
11. research treatment related:
12. patients who have undergone major organ transplantation
13. those who have undergone major surgical treatment, incisional biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to the start of study treatment; or those who have longstanding unhealed wounds or fractures
14. those who have experienced a severe hypersensitivity reaction following the use of monoclonal antibodies; those with known hypersensitivity to active ingredients or excipients such as the study drug;
15. those who are participating or have participated in other clinical studies within 4 weeks prior to the start of the study
16. those with a history of severe allergy
17. have a risk of bleeding, or coagulation disorders, or are receiving thrombolytic therapy
18. have a history of psychotropic substance abuse that is not amenable to cessation or have a psychiatric disorder
19. subjects with concomitant medical conditions that, in the judgement of the investigator, seriously jeopardise the safety of the subject or interfere with the completion of the study, or who are considered otherwise unsuitable for enrolment subjects who, in the judgement of the investigator, have concomitant medical conditions that, in the judgement of the investigator, seriously jeopardise the safety of the subject or interfere with the completion of the study, or who are considered otherwise unsuitable for enrolment. Past history of definite neurological and psychiatric disorders such as dementia, epilepsy, or seizure proneness
20. in the judgement of the Investigator, a concomitant medical condition (e.g., severe diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, psychiatric illness, etc.) which is a serious risk to the safety of the subject or which interferes with the subject\'s ability to complete the study, or the presence of a serious and/or unstable medical, psychiatric, or other condition (including abnormalities in laboratory tests) which interferes with the safety of the patient or with the patient\'s ability to provide informed consent, or any psychological, family, sociological, or psychological condition which interferes with the study protocol and the follow-up plan. Psychological, familial, sociological, or geographic conditions that affect the study protocol and follow-up plan that the investigator deems unsuitable for participation in this clinical trial for any reason

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

• Fudan University Cancer center — Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hongxia Wang, PhD — Fudan University
• Study coordinator: Sheng Zhang, PhD

Conditions Solid Tumour; ADC; Neurotoxicity; Duloxetine