Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Zanzalintinib for advanced liver cancer after prior treatment

Official title: A Phase Ib/II Study of Zanzalintinib in Second Line and Beyond for the Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Run by Northwestern University · NCT07042919 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This phase Ib/II study tests if zanzalintinib is safe and tolerable and if it can help people with advanced liver cancer after other therapies.

More Cirrhosis trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment59 (estimated)
SponsorNorthwestern University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionscabozantinib, zanzalintinib, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 30, 2026
Main results expectedMarch 4, 2029
Study endsMarch 4, 2031
Registry record updatedOctober 23, 2026
Trial IDNCT07042919 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who have progressed on or were intolerant to prior therapies and have Child-Pugh A or select B cirrhosis.

Probably not a fit

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh C), non-measurable disease, or those unable to tolerate oral therapy 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 two-part study starting with dose-escalation to find a safe and tolerable dose, followed by a dose-expansion phase to further evaluate activity. Participants receive zanzalintinib orally once daily in 28-day cycles, with imaging and biomarkers collected to assess response and pharmacokinetics. The trial includes patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, including those with Child-Pugh A or B liver function, and requires radiographic progression or intolerance to prior therapies. Safety, dose-limiting toxicities, and preliminary efficacy will guide the recommended phase II dose and treatment impact. Follow-up continues up to one year after treatment completion.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience disease stabilization or tumor shrinkage and potentially longer survival.

How similar studies have gone: There is prior work on tyrosine kinase inhibitors in liver cancer, but this exact agent and setting are exploratory.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 3.1.1 Patients with confirmed diagnosed HCC who are not amendable to curative treatments.
* 3.1.2 Patients must have documented objective radiographic progression during or after treatment with any first or second line therapy, or intolerance to any first or second line therapy, which include immunotherapy-based combination, or non-immunotherapy-based treatment, except cabozantinib. Note: Patients who have progressed on up to two prior lines therapy (not including cabozantinib) in the advanced metastatic setting are eligible
* 3.1.3 Patients must have a Child-Pugh class A or Child-Pugh class B (B7 or B8) score for cirrhosis mortality. Child-Pugh class B, B9 is excluded. See Appendix A for Child-Pugh Class Scores.
* 3.1.4 Patients must have measurable disease according to RECIST v1.1. See Section 7 for the evaluation of measurable disease. See Appendix B for RECIST v1.1 criteria.
* 3.1.5 Patients may have had up to two prior lines therapy (not including cabozantinib) in the advanced metastatic setting. Palliative radiation or locoregional therapies are not considered a line of therapy.
* 3.1.6 Patients must be age ≥ 18 years.
* 3.1.7 Patients must exhibit /an ECOG Status of 0-1 Refer to Appendix C; OR Karnofsky ≥ 60%. See Appendix D.
* 3.1.8 Patients must have adequate organ and bone marrow function as defined below in Table 2 (Child-Pugh Class A): Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500/mcL, Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 9 g/dL, Platelets (PLT) ≥ 75,000/mcL, International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≤ 1.7 x upper limit of normal (ULN), Total bilirubin ≤ 3.0 mg/dl, Albumin ≥ 2.5 (g/dL), AST (SGOT) ≤ 5 x institutional ULN, ALT (SGPT) ≤ 5 x institutional ULN, ALP ≤ 5.0 x institutional ULN, Creatinine Clearance \> 40 mL/ minute if serum creatinine is elevated above 1.5 X ULN, Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≤ 1.5 mg/mg (≤ 169.8 mg/mmol) creatinine.
* 3.1.8 Patients must have adequate organ and bone marrow function as defined below in Table 2 (Child-Pugh Class B): Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,200/mcL, Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 8.5 g/dL, Platelets (PLT) ≥ 60,000/mcL, International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≤ 2.3 x upper limit of normal (ULN), Total bilirubin ≤ 3.0 mg/dl, Albumin ≥ 2.5 (g/dL), AST (SGOT) ≤ 5 x institutional ULN, ALT (SGPT) ≤ 5 x institutional ULN, ALP ≤ 5.0 x institutional ULN, Creatinine Clearance \> 40 mL/ minute if serum creatinine is elevated above 1.5 X ULN, Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≤ 1.5 mg/mg (≤ 169.8 mg/mmol) creatinine.3.1.9 FOCBP and any of their partners with sperm-producing reproductive capability (PWSPRC) must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence; defined in Appendix E) from the time of informed consent, throughout the course of the study and for 186 days after the last dose of treatment. Additional contraceptive method, such as a barrier method (e.g., condom) is also required. Should a female patient become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. NOTE: A FOCBP is any woman (regardless of sexual orientation, having undergone a tubal ligation, or remaining celibate by choice) who meets the following criteria: Has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy , Has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months (and therefore has not been naturally postmenopausal for \> 12 months)
* 3.1.10 Patients with sperm-producing reproductive capacity (PWSPRC) treated or enrolled on this protocol must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence), refer to Appendix E, with partners of childbearing potential from time of informed consent, for the duration of study participation, and for 96 days following completion of therapy.
* 3.1.11 Patients must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document and comply with the study requirements.
* 3.1.12 Patients must have the ability to swallow, retain, and absorb oral medications or ingest a suspension either orally or by a nasogastric (NG) or gastrostomy (PEG) tube.

Exclusion Criteria:

* 3.2.1 Patients with prior treatment with zanzalintinib.
* 3.2.2 Patients who have received any type of small-molecule kinase inhibitor (including an investigational kinase inhibitor) within 14 days prior to study Day 1 treatment.
* 3.2.3 Patients with prior Cabozantinib use.
* 3.2.4 Patients who have had chemotherapy, cytotoxic, biologic, radiation, or other systemic anticancer (including investigational) therapy within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 treatment.
* 3.2.5 Patients who have received palliative radiation therapy for bone metastasis within 14 days or any other radiation therapy within 4 weeks before first dose of study treatment.
* 3.2.6 Patients who have undergone systemic treatment with radionuclides within 6 weeks (42 days) before first dose of study treatment.
* 3.2.7 Patients who have received any local anticancer therapy including surgery, PEI, RFA, MWA, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), or trans arterial radioembolization (TARE) within 28 days prior to first dose of study treatment.
* 3.2.8 Patients with any unresolved toxicity NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE 5.0) Grade \>1 at baseline, including immune-related adverse events (irAEs), related to any prior treatments, unless AE(s) are clinically nonsignificant and/or stable on supportive therapy (eg, physiological replacement of corticosteroid, from a previous anticancer therapy, with the following exceptions: Alopecia, vitiligo, and the laboratory values defined in the inclusion criteria. Patients with Grade ≥2 neuropathy will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the treating physician. Patients with irreversible toxicity not reasonably expected to be exacerbated by treatment with zanzalintinib may be included only after consultation with the principal investigator.
* 3.2.9 Patients who has progressed on \>2 any therapy.
* 3.2.10 Patients with a known prior or concurrent malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment within 2 years of first dose of study treatment. Note: The following exceptions may be made: 1)For patients with malignancies like basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer; or superficial skin cancers, localized low-grade tumors deemed cured and not treated with systemic therapy, and incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer if assessed as stage
* 3.2.11 Patients with known brain metastases or cranial epidural disease unless adequately treated with radiotherapy and/or surgery (including radiosurgery) and stable for at least 28 days prior to first dose of study treatment. Note: Patients with an incidental finding of an isolated brain lesion \< 1 cm in diameter may be eligible after Principal Investigator approval if the lesion is radiographically stable for 28 days before first dose and does not require treatment per Investigator judgement. Note: Eligible patients must be neurologically asymptomatic and without corticosteroid treatment at the time of first dose of study treatment. Note: Base of skull lesions without definitive evidence of dural or brain parenchymal involvement are allowed
* 3.2.12 Patients who have a history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to zanzalintinib.
* 3.2.13 Patients who are on concomitant anticoagulation therapy with oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin or direct thrombin inhibitors) and platelet inhibitors (e.g., clopidogrel). Allowed anticoagulants are the following: a. Prophylactic use of low-dose aspirin for cardio-protection (per local applicable guidelines) and low-dose low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). b. Therapeutic doses of LMWH or anticoagulation with direct Factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, edoxaban, or apixaban in patients without known brain metastases who are on a stable dose of the anticoagulant for at least 1 week before first dose of study treatment without clinically significant hemorrhagic complications from the anticoagulation regimen. NOTE: Allowed anticoagulants are the following: prophylactic use of low-dose aspirin for cardio-protection (per local applicable guidelines) and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH); Therapeutic doses of LMWH or anticoagulation with direct factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, edoxaban, or apixaban in subjects without known brain metastases who are on a stable dose of the anticoagulant for at least 1 week before first dose of study treatment without clinically significant hemorrhagic complications from the anticoagulation regimen. NOTE: Patients must have discontinued the specified oral anticoagulants (warfarin or other coumarin-related agents, direct thrombin inhibitors, or anti-platelet agents such as clopidogrel, chronic use of aspirin above low dose levels for cardioprotection per institutional practice) within 3 days or 5 half-lives prior to first dose of study treatment, whichever is longer. NOTE: Therapeutic doses of LMWH are not permitted in subjects with known brain metastases.
* 3.2.14 Patients who are taking any complementary medications (e.g., herbal supplements or traditional Chinese medicines) to treat the disease under study within 2 weeks prior to cycle 1 day 1. Note: Taking complementary medications to treat symptoms of the cancer is allowed.
* 3.2.15 Patient has uncontrolled, significant intercurrent or recent illness including, but not limited to, the following conditions: Deteriorating Cardiovascular disorders: Congestive heart failure (CHF) New York Heart Association (Appendix F) Class 3 or 4, Class 2 or higher unstable angina pectoris, new-onset angina, serious cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, Torsades de pointes). Ejection fraction \< 50% on screening echocardiogram (ECHO) or multigated acquisition scan (MUGA). Please note: This is not a mandatory screening procedure. If a patient has history of cardiac illness then the most recent standard of care ECHO or MUGA will be considered during screening. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as sustained blood pressure (BP) \>150 mm Hg systolic of \>90 mm Hg diastolic despite optimal antihypertensive treatment. Stroke (including transient ischemic attack \[TIA\]), myocardial infarction, or other clinically significant ischemic events within 6 months prior to first dose of study treatment. Pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or prior clinically significant venous or non-CVA/TIA arterial thromboembolic events within 3 months before to first dose of study treatment. Note: Patients with a diagnosis of DVT within 6 months are allowed if asymptomatic and stable at screening and are on a stable dose of the anticoagulant for at least 1 week before first dose of study treatment without clinically significant hemorrhagic complications from the anticoagulation regimen. Note: Patients who don't require prior anticoagulation therapy may be eligible but must be discussed and approved by the Principal Investigator. Prior history of myocarditis. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders including those associated with a high risk of perforation or fistula formation: o Tumors invading the GI tract from external viscera. o Active peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, symptomatic cholangitis or appendicitis, or acute pancreatitis o Abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, bowel obstruction, or intra-abdominal abscess must be confirmed prior to first dose of study treatment o Note: Complete healing of an intra-abdominal abscess must be confirmed before first dose of study treatment. o Known gastric or esophageal varices. o Acute obstruction of the bowel, gastric outlet, or pancreatic or biliary duct within 6 months unless cause of obstruction is definitively managed and patient is asymptomatic.
* 3.2.16 Patients with clinically significant hematuria, hematemesis, or hemoptysis of \>0.5 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of red blood, or other history of significant bleeding (e.g., pulmonary hemorrhage) within 84 days prior to registration.
* 3.2.17 Patients with symptomatic cavitating pulmonary lesion(s) or endobronchial disease (asymptomatic or radiated lesions allowed).
* 3.2.18 Patients with lesions invading major blood vessel including but not limited to inferior vena cava, pulmonary artery, or aorta. Note: Patients with intravascular tumor extension (e.g., tumor thrombus in renal vein or inferior vena cava) may be eligible following PI approval. Patients with lesions invading the hepatic portal vasculature are eligible.
* 3.2.19 Patients with other clinically significant disorders that would preclude safe study participation, including, but not limited to: Active infection requiring systemic treatment. Note: This criterion applies only at enrollment; if a patient develops an infection while on study treatment, they may continue to receive study treatment. Note: prophylactic antibiotic treatment is allowed. Known infection with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV). Note: Subjects with active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (defined by HBsAg positive) must be on standard of care antiviral therapy and have HBV DNA \< 500 IU/mL. Please note this lab is not a requirement for eligibility, however if it has been completed previously as part of the patient's health care, it should be documented for eligibility. Patients With active, uncontrolled hepatitis C virus infection (diagnosed per standard of care guidelines) are eligible provided liver function meets eligibility criteria and are receiving management of the disease per local institutional practice Note: antiviral treatment for HCV is allowed with PI approval. Please note this lab is not a requirement for eligibility, however if it has been completed previously as part of the patient's health care, it should be documented for eligibility. Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related illness. Note: except for patients meeting all of the following criteria: (1) on stable anti-retroviral therapy; (2) CD4+ T cell count ≥ 200/µL; (3) an undetectable viral load. Please note this lab is not a requirement for eligibility, however if it has been completed previously as part of the patient's health care, it should be documented for eligibility. Note: To be eligible, participants taking CYP inhibitors (eg, zidovudine, ritonavir, cobicistat, didanosine) or CYP3 inducers (efavirenz) must change to a different regimen not including these drugs 7 days prior to initiation of study treatment. Anti-retroviral therapies (ART) must have been received for at least 28 days prior to the first dose. Note: CD4+ T cell counts, and viral load are monitored per standard of care by the local health care provider. Serious non-healing wound/ulcer/bone fracture. Note: non-healing wounds or ulcers are permitted if they are due to tumorassociated skin lesions. Malabsorption syndrome. Pharmacologically uncompensated, symptomatic hypothyroidism. Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). Requirement for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. History of solid organ or allogenic stem cell transplant.
* 3.2.20 Patients with Recent surgery within the following parameters: Major surgery (e.g., GI surgery or removal/biopsy of brain metastasis) within 8 weeks before first dose of study treatment. Prior laparoscopic surgeries (i.e. nephrectomy) within 28 days prior to first dose of study treatment. Minor surgery (e.g., simple excision, tooth extraction) within 5 days before first dose of study treatment. Complete wound healing from major surgery and from minor surgery (e.g., simple excision, tooth extraction) must have occurred at least prior to first dose of study treatment. Patients with clinically relevant ongoing complications from prior surgery are not eligible. Minor surgery (e.g., simple excision, tooth extraction) within 5 days prior to first dose of study treatment. Note: if a patient has had a recent surgery outside of the proscribed interval, complete wound healing from said surgery must have occurred prior to first dose of study treatment. Note: Fresh tumor biopsies should be performed at least 5 days prior to registration. Patients with clinically relevant ongoing complications from prior surgical procedures, including biopsies, are not eligible.
* 3.2.21 Patients with corrected QT interval calculated by the Fridericia formula (QTcF) \>480 ms within 14 days per electrocardiogram (ECG) prior to first dose of study treatment. Note: Triplicate ECG evaluations will be performed and the average of these 3 consecutive results for QTcF will be used to determine eligibility.
* 3.2.22 Patients who are pregnant (positive serum or urine test within 72 hours prior to enrollment) or nursing. Pregnant people are excluded from this study because zanzalintinib is a next-generation TKI with potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for AEs in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the nursing parent with zanzalintinib, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the nursing parent is treated with zanzalintinib. POCBP are considered to be of childbearing potential unless one of the following criteria is met: permanent sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) or documented postmenopausal status (defined as 12 months of amenorrhea in a woman \> 45 years-of-age in the absence of other biological or physiological causes. In addition, POCBP \< 55 years-of-age must have a serum follicle stimulating hormone \[FSH\] level \> 40 mIU/mL to confirm menopause). Note: Documentation may include review of medical records, medical examination, or medical history interview by study site staff. Note: If a urine pregnancy test is positive or cannot be confirmed negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required.
* 3.2.23 Patients with psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements or give informed consent, per the opinion of the treating investigator.
* 3.2.24 Patients with other conditions which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would compromise the safety of the patient or the patient's ability to complete the study.
* 3.2.25 Patients with documented hepatic encephalopathy (HE) within 6 weeks before first dose of study treatment. Note: Patients who had previous encephalopathy and are stable on preventative medications are eligible. Patients with clinically meaningful ascites (i.e., ascites requiring paracentesis or escalation in diuretics) within 2 weeks prior to registration, C1D1.

Where it's running

  • Northwestern University
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Devalingam Mahalingam — Northwestern University
  • Study coordinator: Devalingam Mahalingam, MD, PhD
  • Email: cancer@northwestern.edu
  • Phone: 3126951301

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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.