PLX038 in Primary Central Nervous System Tumors Containing MYC or MYCN Amplifications
Launched by NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) · Dec 7, 2023
Trial Information
Current as of June 26, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is investigating a new drug called PLX038 to treat specific types of brain and spinal cord tumors, particularly those with certain genetic changes known as MYC or MYCN amplifications. These tumors include gliomas, medulloblastomas, and ependymomas. The trial is open to adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with one of these tumors. To participate, patients should have confirmed tumor types and may need to have had previous treatments like surgery or radiation.
Participants in the trial will receive PLX038 through an intravenous (IV) line during a 21-day cycle. They'll also take an additional medication to help prevent infections. Throughout the study, participants will have regular check-ups, including blood tests and imaging scans, to monitor their health and the effects of the drug. The treatment could last up to 7 months, and follow-up visits will continue for up to 5 years to track long-term outcomes. This trial offers a potential new treatment option for patients with challenging brain tumors, and it’s an opportunity to contribute to research that could help others in the future.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
- * Participants must have histologically confirmed by NCI Laboratory of Pathology (LP) primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor with one of the below diagnoses:
- • Cohort Phase I: Any recurrent or progressive primary CNS tumor, regardless of molecular features.
- • Cohort Phase IIA: Newly diagnosed MYCN amplified ependymoma after surgery and radiation.
- * Cohort Phase IIB:
- • Recurrent or progressive MYCN amplified ependymoma, OR
- • Recurrent or progressive medulloblastoma with MYC or MYCN amplifications
- • Cohort Phase IIC: Any other recurrent or progressive primary CNS tumor with MYC or MYCN amplifications.
- • NOTE 1: Recurrence or progression may involve CNS, extra CNS, or both.
- • NOTE 2: The presence of MYCN or MYC amplification will be determined by NSR device (via next generation sequencing panel TruSightTM Oncology 500 \[TSO500\]) and the threshold of MYCN or MYC amplification for eligibility purposes is a fold change (FC) of \>= 2.5X (5 copies) with a minimum tumor content of 20%.
- * Participants must have archival tumor tissue (either a block or 20 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) unstained slides) available for NCI LP review and confirmation of diagnosis:
- • Cohorts Phase I, Phase IIB, and Phase IIC: tumor tissue obtained at any point before trial treatment initiation, but preferably from most recent surgical resection before study treatment initiation.
- • Cohort Phase IIA: tumor tissue obtained at original diagnosis.
- • Participants in Cohort Phase IIA must have completed surgery followed by radiation at least 4 weeks and no more than 10 weeks from the last dose of radiation prior to study treatment initiation.
- • Participants in Cohorts Phase I, Phase IIB, and Phase IIC must have completed prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation at least 4 weeks prior to study treatment initiation (at least 6 weeks if the last regimen included lomustine (CCNU) or carmustine (BCNU); at least 3 weeks if the last regimen included bevacizumab; at least 5 half-lives if the last regimen included any investigational agent(s). Participants previously treated with PHOTON radiation to at least 2 segments of the spine must have completed radiation at least 12 months before study treatment initiation.
- • Age \>= 18 years.
- • Karnofsky \>= 70%. NOTE: Participants with severe paraparesis/paraplegia who need minimal assistance for self-care due to their motor deficit but are otherwise functionally independent will be eligible.
- * Participants must have adequate organ and marrow function as defined below:
- • leukocytes \>=3,000/microliter
- • absolute neutrophil count \>1,500/microliter
- • platelets \>100,000/microliter
- • hemoglobin \>= 9 g/ dL (may be transfused within 2 weeks prior to treatment to achieve this level)
- • total bilirubin within normal institutional limits
- • aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \<2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
- • creatinine within normal institutional limits OR
- • estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR) using chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration) (CKD-EPI) equation:\>= 60 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for participants with creatinine levels above institutional normal
- • Individuals of child-bearing potential (IOCBP) and those who can father children must agree to use effective contraception (barrier, hormonal contraception, intrauterine device (IUD), surgical sterilization, barrier at the study entry, for the duration of study treatment and up to 6 months (IOCBP) and 3 months (those who can father children) after the last dose of study treatment.
- • Breastfeeding participants must be willing to discontinue breastfeeding from study treatment initiation through 6 months after the last dose of the study drug.
- • Ability to self-report symptoms and physical function as determined by assessment of the clinical team performed at screening.
- • Participants must be able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document.
- EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
- • History of allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical composition to PLX038.
- • Major surgery within 2 weeks prior to study treatment initiation. NOTE: The surgery is considered major if a mesenchymal barrier is opened (pleural cavity, peritoneum, meninges).
- • Participants who require treatment with strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A or with UGT1A1 inhibitors during the planned period of investigational treatment with PLX038. Lists including medications and substances known or with the potential to interact with CYP3A or UGT1A1 are provided in https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-interactionslabeling/drug-development-and-drug-interactions-table-substrates-inhibitors-andinducers.
- • History of treatment with pegylated topoisomerase inhibitors.
- • History of treatment with PHOTON craniospinal irradiation (CSI).
- • Participants with history of homozygous for the UGT1A1\*28 variant allele with severely reduced UGT1A1 activity.
- • Participants positive for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
- • Pregnancy (confirmed with beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) serum or urine pregnancy test performed in females of childbearing potential at screening).
- • Participants unable to have MRIs.
- • Prior or concurrent malignancy unless its natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen (https://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/ctac/1117/4-JournalClinicalOncology.pdf, https://ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/docs/CTEP_Broadened_Eligibility_Criteria_Guidance.pdf)
- • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness evaluated by history, weight, and physical exam that would limit compliance with study requirements.
About National Cancer Institute (Nci)
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a prominent component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes through innovative clinical trials. As a leading sponsor of cancer-related studies, NCI focuses on facilitating the development of new therapies, enhancing prevention strategies, and understanding the biology of cancer. The institute collaborates with academic institutions, healthcare providers, and industry partners to conduct rigorous clinical trials that aim to translate scientific discoveries into effective treatments. NCI’s commitment to fostering a robust research environment supports the mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Jing Wu, M.D.
Principal Investigator
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported