Neratinib + Valproate for Advanced Solid Cancers

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by Andrew Poklepovic, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing a combination of neratinib and sodium valproate to treat advanced cancers. It focuses on patients with specific hard-to-treat tumors. Neratinib blocks proteins that help cancer grow, and sodium valproate may make cancer cells more sensitive to treatment.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify if you must stop all current medications, but certain medications need to be adjusted or stopped. You cannot take proton pump inhibitors, strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers, and some other specific drugs. If you've used these, you must stop them at least 2 weeks before starting the trial. Antacids and H2 receptor antagonists need to be timed around neratinib doses. Check with the trial team for details on your specific medications.

What data supports the idea that Neratinib + Valproate for Advanced Solid Cancers is an effective drug?

The available research shows that the combination of Neratinib and Valproate can slow down the growth of certain tumors in mice. Specifically, it was found to reduce the levels of certain proteins that help tumors grow and increase the presence of immune cells that can attack the tumors. This suggests that the drug combination might make tumors more sensitive to other treatments that help the immune system fight cancer. However, most of the detailed studies focus on breast cancer, where Neratinib has shown effectiveness, especially in combination with other drugs, in reducing the risk of cancer returning and managing brain metastasis. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data is available for the combination of Neratinib and Valproate in treating advanced solid cancers?

The combination of Neratinib and Valproate is currently being evaluated in a phase I trial (NCT03919292) for its safety and efficacy in treating advanced solid tumors. Existing safety data for Neratinib, primarily used for HER2-positive breast cancer, indicates that diarrhea is the most common adverse event, with a 40% incidence of grade 3 or 4 diarrhea, which can lead to treatment discontinuation. Other frequent adverse events include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, vomiting, rash, stomatitis, decreased appetite, and muscle spasms. These side effects are generally manageable with dose adjustments and standard medical care. The combination with Valproate is still under investigation, and further studies are needed to fully understand the safety profile of this treatment combination. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Is the drug Neratinib a promising treatment for advanced solid cancers?

Yes, Neratinib is a promising drug for advanced solid cancers. It has shown strong activity against various cancers, especially breast cancer, and is being tested in combination with other drugs like Valproate to enhance its effects. ^{2 5 6 9 10}

Research Team

Andrew Poklepovic, MD

Principal Investigator

Massey Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with advanced solid tumors, including specific types such as RAS-mutated colon or pancreatic cancer, ocular melanoma, and glioblastoma with RAS mutation or EGFR alteration. Participants must have progressed after standard treatments or have no effective options available. They should be in good physical condition (ECOG 0-1), not pregnant, willing to use contraception, able to swallow pills without malabsorption issues, and free from serious infections or heart conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

My kidney function, measured by creatinine levels, is within the normal range.

It's been at least 12 weeks since I finished radiation therapy for my brain tumor.

I have not increased my corticosteroid dose for my brain tumor in the last week.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a condition that affects how my body absorbs nutrients, but I can take supplements.

I have severe diarrhea that is not controlled by oral medication.

I cannot swallow pills.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Divalproex Sodium (Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor)
• Neratinib (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor)

Trial Overview The study aims to find the safest dose of neratinib combined with sodium valproate that can be given to patients with advanced solid tumors. It will also assess how well this combination works against certain tumor types like those with RAS mutations and EGFR-altered glioblastomas.

Participant Groups

Group I: Pancreatic Cancer Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

RAS-mutated pancreatic cancer at RP2D

Group II: Other Cancer Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

"Other Cancer" (RAS-mutated) at RP2D

Group III: Ocular Melanoma (OM) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Phase II dose expansion at RP2D

Group IV: Neratinib + Divalproex Sodium - Dose Escalation Cohort Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Neratinib by mouth (PO) once daily + Divalproex Sodium (Valproate) by mouth (PO) twice daily on days 1-28 of each course.

Group V: Glioblastoma (GBM) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Glioblastoma with a RAS-mutation or EGFR alteration at RP2D

Group VI: Colon Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Colon Cancer (RAS-mutated) - Phase II dose expansion at recommended phase II dose (RP2D)

Divalproex Sodium is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Depakote for:

• Seizure disorders
• Manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder
• Migraine prophylaxis

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center Richmond, VA

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

732

Patients Recruited

22,900,000+

Puma Biotechnology, Inc.

Industry Sponsor

Trials

58

Patients Recruited

10,100+

Findings from Research

Neratinib significantly reduces the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death in women with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer who have completed trastuzumab therapy, as shown in the ExteNET trial over 12 months, with benefits observed at both 2 and 5 years post-treatment.

Patients with hormone receptor-positive disease and those who start neratinib within 1 year of completing trastuzumab experience greater benefits, leading to its approval in the EU as an extended adjuvant therapy for this specific patient group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neratinib in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Profile of Its Use in the EU. Dhillon, S.[2021]

Neratinib is an oral, irreversible inhibitor targeting HER1, HER2, and HER4, specifically developed for treating HER2-positive breast cancer, and is approved in the USA for patients who have previously received trastuzumab-based therapy.

The drug is currently in various stages of clinical development for other cancers, including metastatic breast cancer and solid tumors like non-small cell lung cancer and glioblastoma, indicating its potential broader therapeutic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neratinib: First Global Approval. Deeks, ED.[2019]

The combination of neratinib and valproate significantly slows the growth of 4T1 mammary tumors in mice, leading to reduced expression of key proteins associated with tumor growth and increased immune cell infiltration.

This drug combination enhances the tumors' sensitivity to immunotherapy by promoting a more favorable immune environment, without causing noticeable damage to normal tissues, indicating a potential safe therapeutic strategy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Neratinib + Valproate] exposure permanently reduces ERBB1 and RAS expression in 4T1 mammary tumors and enhances M1 macrophage infiltration. Booth, L., Roberts, JL., Rais, R., et al.[2019]

Neratinib, an ERBB inhibitor, causes K-RAS to mislocalize in pancreatic tumor cells, and when combined with sodium valproate, it initially reduces the activity of several cancer-related receptors, but resistance mechanisms can develop quickly after treatment cessation.

Knocking down ERBB3 enhances the lethality of the neratinib and valproate combination, suggesting that targeting ERBB3 could improve treatment outcomes, especially when used alongside the PI3Kα/δ inhibitor copanlisib, which also promotes cancer cell death through autophagy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhanced signaling via ERBB3/PI3K plays a compensatory survival role in pancreatic tumor cells exposed to [neratinib + valproate]. Dent, P., Booth, L., Poklepovic, A., et al.[2021]

In a phase I trial involving 20 patients with specific ERBB or KRAS mutations, the combination of neratinib and trametinib was found to have significant treatment-related toxicities, including 100% incidence of diarrhea at the lowest dose level.

Despite the toxicity, only two patients achieved stable disease for at least 4 months, indicating that the combination therapy had limited clinical efficacy, potentially due to drug-drug interactions affecting optimal dosing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A phase I trial of the pan-ERBB inhibitor neratinib combined with the MEK inhibitor trametinib in patients with advanced cancer with EGFR mutation/amplification, HER2 mutation/amplification, HER3/4 mutation or KRAS mutation. Piha-Paul, SA., Tseng, C., Tran, HT., et al.[2023]

Neratinib was approved by the FDA for the extended treatment of early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, showing a significant improvement in invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) with a 2-year rate of 94.2% compared to 91.9% for placebo in a study of 2,840 women.

While neratinib is effective, it is associated with a high incidence of diarrhea (40% grade 3 or 4), which is the most common reason for treatment discontinuation, though most adverse effects are manageable and reversible.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approval: Neratinib for the Extended Adjuvant Treatment of Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Singh, H., Walker, AJ., Amiri-Kordestani, L., et al.[2019]

Neratinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, shows promising efficacy in treating HER2-positive breast cancer, with a higher response rate when used in combination with other therapies compared to monotherapy.

While neratinib is associated with a high incidence of adverse events, particularly diarrhea (83.9% of patients), these side effects are generally manageable, and the drug has been linked to improved survival outcomes in patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and Efficacy Profile of Neratinib: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 23 Prospective Clinical Trials. Tao, Z., Li, SX., Shen, K., et al.[2021]

In a phase I/II trial involving 105 patients, the combination of neratinib and capecitabine was found to have a manageable safety profile, with diarrhea (88%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (48%) being the most common side effects.

The treatment demonstrated promising efficacy, achieving an objective response rate of 64% in patients without prior lapatinib exposure and 57% in those previously treated with lapatinib, indicating its potential as an effective option for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and efficacy of neratinib in combination with capecitabine in patients with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer. Saura, C., Garcia-Saenz, JA., Xu, B., et al.[2022]

References

1. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neratinib in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Profile of Its Use in the EU. [2021]

2. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neratinib: First Global Approval. [2019]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neratinib: the emergence of a new player in the management of HER2+ breast cancer brain metastasis. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Neratinib + Valproate] exposure permanently reduces ERBB1 and RAS expression in 4T1 mammary tumors and enhances M1 macrophage infiltration. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combination neratinib (HKI-272) and paclitaxel therapy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhanced signaling via ERBB3/PI3K plays a compensatory survival role in pancreatic tumor cells exposed to [neratinib + valproate]. [2021]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A phase I trial of the pan-ERBB inhibitor neratinib combined with the MEK inhibitor trametinib in patients with advanced cancer with EGFR mutation/amplification, HER2 mutation/amplification, HER3/4 mutation or KRAS mutation. [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approval: Neratinib for the Extended Adjuvant Treatment of Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. [2019]

9. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and Efficacy Profile of Neratinib: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 23 Prospective Clinical Trials. [2021]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and efficacy of neratinib in combination with capecitabine in patients with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer. [2022]