ValproIc Acid to Potentiate Anti-EGFR Treatment Efficacy and Prevent/Revert Resistance in Colorectal Cancer
Launched by NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, NAPLES · Nov 28, 2024
Trial Information
Current as of June 26, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying whether a medication called valproic acid can enhance the effectiveness of current treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer, specifically targeting a protein known as EGFR. The goal is to see if valproic acid can help patients respond better to anti-EGFR therapies and possibly overcome resistance if their cancer stops responding to treatment. Participants will provide blood and tissue samples, which will help researchers understand how tumors change during treatment and identify potential markers that could guide personalized care for future patients.
To be eligible for the trial, participants must be at least 18 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. They should have a specific genetic profile (RAS/BRAF wild-type) and must have previously responded to anti-EGFR therapy. Participants can expect to receive the study treatment and will be closely monitored for their health and any side effects. It's important to note that the trial is not yet recruiting, so interested individuals will need to wait until it begins. Overall, this study aims to improve treatment options for patients facing challenges in managing their colorectal cancer.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria (Study Part 1):
- • 1. Written informed consent to study procedures and to correlative studies.
- • 2. Either sex aged ≥ 18.
- • 3. Histologically proven of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
- • 4. Diagnosis of metastatic disease.
- • 5. RAS/BRAF wild-type status at initial diagnosis assessed at local centers according with a validated method defined by EMA and known MMR/MSI status
- • 6. RAS (NRAS and KRAS exon 2,3 and 4) and BRAF wild-type in liquid biopsy at study entry (according to central testing).
- • 7. Patient candidate to anti-EGFR rechallenge therapy with panitumumab and irinotecan as clinical practice; Efficacy of anti-EGFR drug in any line of treatment with a major response achieved (i.e. complete or partial response according to RECIST criteria v1.1) or stable disease ≥ 6 months and received a subsequent line of therapy upon progression.
- • a. Note. Patients must have received at least 2 lines of treatment. Previous treatment with regorafenib, trifluridine/tipiracile, trifluridine/tipiracile + bevacizumab or fruquintinib is allowed. Previous rechallenge with anti-EGFR MoAb is NOT allowed. Adjuvant treatment will be considered as one line of therapy in case of progression within 6 months from the last dose of treatment.
- • 8. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤ 1 at study entry.
- • 9. Imaging-documented measurable disease, according to RECIST 1.1 criteria.
- • 10. Estimated life expectancy of more than 12 weeks
- • 11. Adequate bone marrow hematological function: absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/L and hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL.
- • 12. Adequate liver function: total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or ≤ 2 (in case of biliary stent) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 5 X ULN.
- • 13. Adequate renal function: serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min in males and ≥50 mL/min in females (calculated according to Cockroft-Gault formula).
- • 14. Electrolytes (i.e. magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium) within laboratory normal range.
- Exclusion Criteria (Study Part 1):
- • 1. Prior malignancy within five years. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer.
- • 2. Any contraindication to panitumumab or irinotecan.
- • 3. Not received immunotherapy if dMMR or MSI-H.
- • 4. Patients who have had prior treatment with an HDAC inhibitor and patients who have received compounds with HDAC inhibitor-like activity, such as valproic acid.
- • 5. Major surgical intervention within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
- • 6. Pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- • 7. Any brain metastasis.
- • 8. Patients with long QT-syndrome or QTc interval duration \> 480 msec or concomitant medication with drugs prolonging QTc .
- • 9. Evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease or any concurrent condition which in the investigator's opinion makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study, or which would jeopardize compliance with the protocol, or would interfere with the results of the study.
- • 10. History of poor co-operation, non-compliance with medical treatment, unreliability or any condition that may impair the patient's understanding of the Informed consent form.
- • 11. Participation in any interventional drug or medical device study within 30 days prior to treatment start.
- • 12. Sexually active males and females (of childbearing potential) unwilling to practice contraception (barrier contraceptive measure or oral contraception) during the study and until 6 months after the last trial treatment.
- • 13. History of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis.
- • 14. History of corneal perforation or ulceration keratitis.
- • 15. Hypersensitivity to valproic acid or any of listed excipients.
- • 16. Acute hepatitis or chronic hepatitis.
- • 17. Personal or familial anamnesis of severe hepatopathy.
- • 18. History of Hepatic porphyria
- • 19. Known coagulation disorders.
- • 20. Known Polymerase-gamma (POLG) mitochondrial mutation (e.g. Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome).
- • 21. Known urea cycle disorders.
- * Inclusion Criteria (Study Part 2):
- • 1. Have provided written informed consent to study procedures and to correlative studies.
- • 2. Enrolled in VICTORIA - Study Part 1 and randomized to ARM A (control arm) 3. Progressed to treatment within ARM A (control arm). 4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤ 1 at study entry.
- • 5. Imaging-documented measurable disease, according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. 6. Estimated life expectancy of more than 12 weeks. 7. Adequate bone marrow hematological function: absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/L and hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL. 8. Adequate liver function: total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or ≤ 2 (in case of biliary stent) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 5 X ULN. 9. Adequate renal function: serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min in males and ≥50 mL/min in females (calculated according to Cockroft-Gault formula). 10. Electrolytes (i.e. magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium) within laboratory normal range.
- -Exclusion Criteria (Study Part 2):
- • 1. Did not receive a subsequent line of therapy upon progression to ARM A.
- • 2. Any brain metastasis.
- • 3. Pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- • 4. Serious Adverse events with panitumumab or irinotecan, leading to treatment interruption and discontinuation.
- • 5. Patients with long QT-syndrome or QTc interval duration \> 480 msec or concomitant medication with drugs prolonging QTc
- • 6. Evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic disease or any concurrent condition which in the investigator's opinion makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study, or which would jeopardize compliance with the protocol, or would interfere with the results of the study.
- • 7. Sexually active males and females (of childbearing potential) unwilling to practice contraception (barrier contraceptive measure or oral contraception) during the study and until 6 months after the last trial treatment.
About National Cancer Institute, Naples
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Naples is a leading research institution dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of cancer through innovative clinical trials. As a prominent sponsor of cancer research, the NCI focuses on developing novel therapies, improving patient outcomes, and exploring cutting-edge methodologies in oncology. With a commitment to scientific rigor and collaboration, the NCI in Naples engages in partnerships with academic institutions and healthcare providers to facilitate groundbreaking studies that address critical challenges in cancer care. Their mission is to translate research findings into effective treatments, ultimately enhancing the lives of patients affected by cancer.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Napoli, , Italy
Caserta, Ce, Italy
Napoli, Italia, Italy
Tricase, Lecce, Italy
Patients applied
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported