Using verteporfin to treat recurrent high grade EGFR-mutated glioblastoma

A Phase 1 / 2 Study of Visudyne (Liposomal Verteporfin) in Persons with Recurrent High Grade EGFR-Mutated Glioblastoma

This study is testing whether the drug verteporfin, usually used for eye problems, can help people with recurrent high grade glioblastoma that has EGFR mutations live longer and feel better.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase1; Phase2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Emory University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: bevacizumab, chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Trial ID: NCT04590664 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase I/II trial investigates the safety and effectiveness of verteporfin, an FDA-approved drug typically used for eye diseases, in treating patients with recurrent high grade glioblastoma that has mutations in the EGFR gene. The study aims to determine the maximum tolerated dose of verteporfin and assess its anti-tumor activity by measuring progression-free survival and overall survival rates. Participants will receive verteporfin intravenously on a weekly basis for a specified duration, with follow-up assessments to monitor treatment outcomes and side effects.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals with recurrent or progressive grade 4 glioblastoma who have previously received standard therapies and have tumors that show EGFR mutations.

Not a fit: Patients with glioblastoma who do not have EGFR mutations or those who have not progressed after standard treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with recurrent high grade EGFR-mutated glioblastoma.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of verteporfin in this context is novel, other studies have explored similar approaches with varying degrees of success.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Persons with recurrent or progressive grade 4 glioma (glioblastoma) are eligible for this study. Participants should have received standard first line therapy including radiation and temozolomide
* Eligible participants have tumors that show mutant or amplified EGFR. This determination can be made using standard of care mutation analysis panels (e.g. Snapshot). It is often assessed at diagnosis as part of standard of care
* Eligible participants must have evidence on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of progression. This may be as new or increased enhancement, or growth / increase in nonenhancing abnormality. Care should be taken to distinguish those with true progression from those with radiation related changes. Persons with changes in enhancement possibly due in part or in whole to late radiation effect should receive bevacizumab as standard of care, and defer study participation
* Participants may be receiving bevacizumab, and show progression while on bevacizumab. These participants may continue bevacizumab while on study. Persons not on bevacizumab but who would benefit from the anti-edema effect of bevacizumab should not enroll on this study but should proceed with bevacizumab alone, and defer enrollment until such time as they progress
* Visudyne is a vesicant. Participants will likely have poor veins, and will require repeated intravenous treatments. Participants must be willing to have placed a central venous access, such as a portacath
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0-3. Participants who are ECOG 2 or 3 should ideally have been in that situation for some time, and not be in the midst of rapid clinical decline
* Medical comorbidities (excepting neurological) must be grade 2 or less if graded as toxicity
* Eligible participants may have grade 3 neurologic comorbidities (for example aphasia, ataxia) arising as a consequence of brain pathology
* Participants should be reasonably expected to be able to complete 6 weeks (1 cycle) of treatment on study before death or worsening of PS to 4 or 5
* Other anti-cancer medical treatments. Treatments in this category include chemotherapy and non-bevacizumab therapies. 7 days must have elapsed since discontinuation of prior chemotherapeutic treatments for glioma and study treatment. Participants may have had any number of prior treatments
* All participants on this study must have had prior radiation to the brain. Radiation must have been completed 90 days prior to first study treatment
* 21 days must have elapsed since prior major surgery
* Participants already using a Novo-tumor treating fields therapy (TTF) (Optune) device and who wish to continue may do so
* All participants must sign a written informed consent
* The effects of study drugs used in this study on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, female of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test prior to starting therapy
* FCBP and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation and 8 weeks after. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation. A female of childbearing potential (FCBP) is a sexually mature woman who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Persons who are deemed to have progression on clinical grounds only (new symptoms, declining PS) are ineligible. In the absence of MRI change one cannot be confident that clinical deterioration is a direct result of tumor progression, and could be due to intercurrent illness
* Persons with edema which might be due to late radiation effect, not true progression, should receive bevacizumab as standard of care, and defer study participation. If (short-term) followup imaging shows reduction of edema and also progression of tumor, these persons are eligible (and should continue bevacizumab)
* Pregnant or breast-feeding women will not be entered on this study
* Participants may not have any baseline comorbidities or laboratory abnormalities which would be of grade 3 or worse if graded as toxicities by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) (excepting alopecia). An exception is made for neurologic comorbidities (e.g. ataxia, aphasia) arising as a consequence of the brain tumor; symptoms severe enough to warrant medical treatment as is offered on this study are by definition grade III
* Persons who in the opinion of the investigator may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study are ineligible
* Illness or any other circumstances (as defined by the investigator), which would preclude safe performance of study procedures or compromise the ability of the patient to consent to study
* Persons with hereditary porphyria are ineligible

Where this trial is running

Atlanta, Georgia

• Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute — Atlanta, Georgia, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: William L Read, MD — Emory University
• Study coordinator: William L. Read, MD

Conditions Glioblastoma; Recurrent Glioblastoma