~7 spots leftby Jun 2025

ZEN003694 + Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
+11 other locations
Overseen ByEdmund S Kopetz
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase 1
Recruiting
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Must be taking: Encorafenib, Cetuximab
Must not be taking: CYP3A4 inhibitors, Proton pump inhibitors
Disqualifiers: Uncontrolled illness, Allergic reactions, others
No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This phase I trial tests the safety, best dose, and effectiveness of ZEN003694 in combination with cetuximab and encorafenib in treating patients with colorectal cancer that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory), that has come back after a period of improvement (relapsed), and that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). ZEN003694 is a protein inhibitor that binds to BET proteins. When ZEN003694 binds to BET proteins, it disrupts gene expression. Preventing the expression of certain growth-promoting genes may inhibit proliferation of tumor cells that over-express BET proteins. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, may help the body's immune system attack the tumor, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Encorafenib is an enzyme inhibitor. It inhibits pathways that are responsible for controlling cell proliferation and survival, which may lead to a decrease in tumor cell proliferation. Both cetuximab and encorafenib have been approved to treat cancer. Adding ZEN003694 to cetuximab and encorafenib may be more effective at treating patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer than giving the usual treatment (cetuximab and encorafenib) alone.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking any medications that are strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 or substrates of CYP1A2 with narrow therapeutic windows at least 7 days before starting the study drug ZEN003694. If you are taking proton pump inhibitors, you will need to stop them as well. For H2 blockers or other acid-reducing agents, a specific dosing schedule must be followed.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug combination ZEN003694 and chemotherapy for colorectal cancer?

Research shows that cetuximab, when combined with other drugs like irinotecan or encorafenib, improves survival and response rates in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, especially those with specific genetic mutations. This suggests that combining cetuximab with other treatments could be effective for certain colorectal cancer patients.

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What safety data exists for the treatment ZEN003694 + Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer?

The combination of encorafenib and cetuximab, which is part of the treatment being studied, has been evaluated for safety in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, skin rash, and decreased appetite. These findings are based on studies conducted in patients with specific genetic mutations in their cancer.

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What makes the drug ZEN003694 + Chemotherapy unique for colorectal cancer?

The combination of ZEN003694 with chemotherapy, including cetuximab and encorafenib, is unique because it targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and BRAF mutations, which are specific pathways involved in colorectal cancer. This approach is particularly novel as it combines targeted therapies with chemotherapy to potentially improve outcomes in patients with specific genetic profiles.

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Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma that's resistant to treatment and has a specific mutation (BRAF V600E). Participants need functioning liver and kidneys, an acceptable blood cell count, and if HIV-positive, must be on effective therapy with undetectable viral load.

Inclusion Criteria

My doctor does not believe I need immediate treatment for my brain metastases.
I have another cancer type, but it won't affect this trial's treatment.
My heart is healthy enough for treatment, according to NYHA class II or better.
+16 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have recovered from side effects of previous cancer treatments, except for hair loss.
Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents
History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to ZEN003694 or other agents used in study
+3 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Patients receive ZEN003694 orally once daily, cetuximab intravenously on days 1 and 15, and encorafenib orally once daily in 28-day cycles

28-day cycles, repeated
2 visits (in-person) per cycle

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment completion

Every 2 months
Follow-up visits every 2 months

Dose Escalation

Determination of maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase 2 dose based on adverse events

Up to completion of dose escalation phase

Participant Groups

The trial tests ZEN003694 combined with usual chemotherapy drugs cetuximab and encorafenib. It aims to find the safest dose of ZEN003694, see how well it works in treating refractory metastatic colorectal cancer compared to standard treatments alone.
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Treatment (ZEN003694, cetuximab, encorafenib)Experimental Treatment9 Interventions
Patients receive ZEN003694 PO QD on days 1-28 of each cycle, cetuximab IV over 120 minutes on days 1 and 15 of each cycle, and encorafenib PO QD on days 1-28 of each cycle. Cycles repeat every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo ECHO or MUGA, CT or MRI, and collection of blood samples throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo biopsy at screening and on study.

Cetuximab is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Erbitux for:
  • Locally or regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
  • Recurrent locoregional disease or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
  • K-Ras wild-type, EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer
  • BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic colorectal cancer
🇪🇺 Approved in European Union as Erbitux for:
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
  • K-Ras wild-type, EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Virginia Commonwealth University/Massey Cancer CenterRichmond, VA
University of Virginia Cancer CenterCharlottesville, VA
M D Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TX
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer CenterColumbus, OH
More Trial Locations
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

National Cancer Institute (NCI)Lead Sponsor

References

Cetuximab: a guide to its use in combination with FOLFIRI in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in the USA. [2021]Cetuximab (Erbitux(®)) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In the USA, the approval of cetuximab has been recently expanded to include the first-line treatment of patients with KRAS mutation-negative (wild-type), EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) when used in combination with FOLFIRI (irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin [folinic acid]). The addition of cetuximab to first-line treatment with FOLFIRI improved progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rates relative to treatment with FOLFIRI alone in patients with EGFR-expressing mCRC with KRAS wild-type tumors. Therefore, cetuximab plus FOLFIRI is a useful biomarker-directed option in the first-line treatment of this patient population.
Cetuximab and irinotecan as third line therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer after failure of irinotecan, oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil. [2018]Cetuximab (Erbitux) in combination with irinotecan is the most promising combination in heavily pretreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Efficacy of this combination was confirmed in the pivotal BOND I study. The aim of the present study was to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of a combination regimen of cetuximab and irinotecan but in contrast to the BOND I study all patients had previously received 5-FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan and all had progressed during or shortly after completion of treatment. Before January 2005 salvage therapy with cetuximab and irinotecan was not used in Denmark. The Danish government had initiated a national programme for patients with advanced cancer and according to this programme the National Board of Health may approve and finance experimental treatment. From January 2005 to September 2005, 65 consecutive patients were treated with cetuximab (weekly) and irinotecan (each 2 or 3 weeks) at three university hospitals. Median age was 57 years (23-78), and median performance status was 1 (0-3). Response rate was 20%, median TTP was 5.5 months and median OS was 10.4 months. Response and survival was significantly correlated with severity of skin toxicity. Toxicity grade 3 was rare (skin toxicity 8%, diarrhoea 10%, nausea 3%, vomiting 3%, fatigue 8%). Salvage therapy with cetuximab and irinotecan is effective in patients pretreated with irinotecan, and oxaliplatin and in a general population the results from the BOND I study was confirmed.
A Japanese post-marketing surveillance of cetuximab (Erbitux®) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. [2022]Cetuximab (Erbitux(®)) was approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in Japan in 2008. To verify information on the safety in practical use of cetuximab, we conducted post-marketing surveillance in accordance with the conditions for approval.
Economic Analysis of First-Line Treatment with Cetuximab or Panitumumab for RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in England. [2021]Label="BACKGROUND">Combination therapies with cetuximab (Erbitux®; Merck Serono UK Ltd) and panitumumab (Vectibix®; Amgen UK Ltd) are shown to be less effective in adults with metastatic colorectal cancer who have mutations in exons 2, 3 and 4 of KRAS and NRAS oncogenes from the rat sarcoma (RAS) family.
The EMA assessment of encorafenib in combination with cetuximab for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma harbouring the BRAFV600E mutation who have received prior therapy. [2021]On 2 June 2020, a marketing authorisation valid through the European Union (EU) was issued for encorafenib in combination with cetuximab in adult patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) with the BRAFV600E mutation who had received prior systemic therapy. Encorafenib plus cetuximab was evaluated in a randomised phase III trial of encorafenib plus binimetinib plus cetuximab versus encorafenib plus cetuximab versus cetuximab plus irinotecan or FOLFIRI (control arm) to adult patients with BRAFV600E mCRC who had received prior therapy for metastatic disease. The median overall survival was 9.3 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.05-11.30] versus 5.88 months (95% CI: 5.09-7.10) for encorafenib plus cetuximab (doublet) versus the control arm, respectively [hazard ratio (HR) 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48-0.77]. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.27 months (95% CI: 4.07-5.45) versus 1.54 months (95% CI: 1.48-1.91) (HR 0.44; 95% CI: 0.35-0.55). The most frequent adverse events in patients receiving encorafenib plus cetuximab were fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, acneiform dermatitis, abdominal pain, arthralgia, decreased appetite, vomiting and rash. The aim of this manuscript is to summarise the scientific review of the application leading to regulatory approval in the EU.
[The efficacy of cetuximab for metastatic colorectal cancer]. [2018]Cetuximab (Erbitux) is a targeted therapy that used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. It is classified as a "monoclonal antibody" and "signal transduction inhibitor" by binding to epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR). We report 6 patients who responded well to cetuximab out of 8 patients with recurrent/advanced colorectal cancer who have received the drug at our hospital since November 2008. Four patients were men and 2 were women, with their ages ranging from 48 to 77 years. The primary cancers were located in the rectum (n=1), sigmoid colon (n=4), and ascending colon (n=1). Performance status (PS) was 0-1. These patients were treated with cetuximab as second-line (n=1), third-line (n=3), fifth-line (n=1), or seventh-line (n=1) therapy. Three patients received cetuximab monotherapy, while the other 3 were given CPT-11 (150 mg/m2, every 2 weeks) as concomitant therapy. Among the 3 patients receiving combination therapy, 2 patients had already received treatment with FOLFIRI. Even in the cetuximab monotherapy group, a partial response (PR) was observed in 2 patients, demonstrating a strong cytoreductive effect. Tumor markers also showed large decreases, with the percent decrease at 1 month being 31.7% and 60.8% in the monotherapy and combination therapy groups, respectively, while it was respectively 14.1% and 29.5% at 2 months. The mean progression-free survival (PFS) time and the time to treatment failure (TTF) were respectively 3.0 months and 4.5 months in the monotherapy group versus 7.3 months and 9.3 months in the combination therapy group. Acneiform rash and paronychia occurred in all 6 patients.
Adverse Events Associated with Encorafenib Plus Cetuximab in Patients with BRAFV600E-mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: An in-depth Analysis of the BEACON CRC Study. [2023]Label="BACKGROUND">The BRAF inhibitor encorafenib in combination with cetuximab was recently approved for patients with BRAFV600E-mutated (BRAFV600Emut) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Approval was based on positive results from the phase 3 BEACON CRC study in BRAFV600Emut mCRC patients who had progressed after 1-2 previous regimens. This analysis provides a detailed examination of the adverse events (AEs) of interest (AEIs) with encorafenib+cetuximab in the BEACON study to aid gastrointestinal oncologists, given the limited experience with this combination.
Cetuximab: appraisal of a novel drug against colorectal cancer. [2019]Cetuximab (C225, Erbitux, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) is a human-mouse chimeric therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) that competitively binds to the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth-factor receptor (EGFR). It has been developed out of the murine antibody M225 "from bench to bedside" in less than two decades, and is the anti-EGFR mAb furthest ahead in clinical evaluation. In Europe, cetuximab is approved for the treatment of patients with EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of treatment with irinotecan since 2004, and for the treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck concomitant to radiotherapy since 2006. We here summarize the current role of cetuximab in the treatment of colorectal cancer, give an overview on the ongoing studies, address the most important controversies, and point out the chances and challenges for the future use of cetuximab in colorectal cancer and other human malignancies.
Clinical use of monoclonal antibodies to the epidermal growth factor receptor in colorectal cancer. [2018]Monoclonal antibodies to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are among the promising novel targeted therapies being explored in colorectal cancer. Two such agents that inhibit EGFR signaling by interfering with ligand-binding are cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix). This review will address the use of cetuximab and panitumumab in chemotherapy-refractory colorectal cancer as well as in front-line therapy for the disease, consider predictors of response and resistance, and outline comparisons between these agents.